02 Apr 45 dead in ravine crash

An eight-year-old child was the only survivor of a bus crash which killed 45.

The bus lost control and fell 50 meters from a bridge in South Africa into a ravine, catching fire.

The Transport Ministry said in a statement that the child was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The 45 passengers who lost their lives were pilgrims travelling from Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, to an Easter service at St Engenas Zionist Christian church in Moria.

A government statement said: “It is alleged that the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge causing the bus to go over the bridge and hitting the ground, where it caught fire.”

The transport minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, visited the scene of the crash and stated that the South African government would help repatriate the bodies and investigate the cause of the crash.

Chikunga extended her “heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash”. 

She said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

“We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.”