An 8-year-old child miraculously survived a tragic bus crash in South Africa that claimed the lives of 45 worshippers. The incident occurred on Thursday as the group was en route to an Easter festival. Local authorities believe the driver lost control, leading to the devastating accident.
The Limpopo provincial government stated that the bus went off a bridge near Mmamatlakala and plummeted 164 feet into a ravine before erupting into flames. Local officials report that the child sustained critical injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
While a recovery effort is underway, authorities reported that several of the remains were charred beyond recognition and locked inside the truck.
According to local authorities, the bus was traveling from Botswana to Moria, a major Easter pilgrimage destination. They asserted that the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle and was among those who perished.
Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Transport, was in Limpopo province for a road safety campaign but changed his plans to attend the crash scene, according to the national Department of Transport. She stated that an investigation was ongoing into the reason for the incident and expressed her condolences to the victims’ families.
Florence Radzilani, Limpopo’s MEC for Transport and Community Safety, was also at the road safety event, encouraging motorists to travel responsibly during the long Easter weekend at the time of the bus crash and visiting the scene.
The South African government frequently warns of the dangers of accidents during the Easter holidays, which are particularly hazardous for road travel in that region of the country. Last year, around 200 individuals perished in car accidents over the Easter holiday.
The Zionist Christian Church is headquartered in Moria, and their Easter pilgrimage draws hundreds of thousands of people from all around South Africa and adjacent countries. This year marks the first time the Easter pilgrimage to Moria will take place since the COVID-19 outbreak.
