At least 11 schoolchildren were killed on Monday morning when a minibus carrying pupils to various primary and high schools collided with a truck in a city south of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Five other pupils sustained critical injuries in the incident, which occurred in the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng province, and are currently receiving medical care in hospital.
The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed the incident in a media advisory, stating that the scene remained active for most of the day as emergency personnel attended to the injured and began investigations.
“The Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, will be visiting the scene of a tragic private scholar transport incident that took place this morning in the Vanderbijlpark area,” the department said. “Preliminary reports indicate that 11 learners have sadly lost their lives at the scene, while five learners who sustained critical injuries were en route to hospital for urgent medical care.”
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said authorities were still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
“This is an active scene and emergency services are still attending to the incident. Further verified information will be shared as it becomes available,” Mabona said.
The heartbreaking event has left parents and the nation in mourning, with calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
