On Wednesday, a tragic accident in South Africa resulted in the death of five children and left 20 others injured when a train collided with a school bus. The incident took place in the afternoon near Mafube village, not far from Middelburg, approximately 180 kilometers northeast of Johannesburg, according to local media.
“The collision occurred at a level crossing, leading to the devastating loss of five children and injuries to 20 others “, the government statement affirmed.
Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the critical importance of child safety and the heartbreak caused by such tragedies.
According to the transport ministry, the bus driver abandoned the scene following the crash, while the train driver and crew emerged unscathed. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident.
In response to the incident, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has urged law enforcement to strengthen their road safety measures, particularly those related to student transportation, as this marks the second significant crash involving a school transport vehicle within the same month.
Earlier in July, a similar disaster occurred when a minibus carrying 12 children overturned and caught fire after being struck by another vehicle near Johannesburg.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also expressed condolences, stressing the urgent need to uphold the highest standards of safety for children. Despite South Africa’s well-developed road infrastructure, the country faces severe road safety challenges, often due to reckless driving and substandard vehicles, with many families relying on private minibuses for their children’s school transport.
