Sixteen people were killed and at least 20 others injured when a bus overturned on the N1 near Touws River in South Africa’s Western Cape in the early hours of Thursday, authorities said.
The Western Cape Mobility Department confirmed the crash happened at about 00:40.
“We confirm an incident on the N1 near Touwsrivier where a bus transporting South African residents has overturned,” it said in a statement.
“Tragically, 16 people have lost their lives, while two others sustained serious injuries,” the department said.
Emergency services remained at the scene, providing assistance and managing the incident.
A stop-and-go traffic system was put in place as rescue and recovery operations continued.
Authorities said the bus was carrying 78 passengers from Cape Town in the Western Cape to Idutywa in the Eastern Cape.
Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson Simon Zwane said the driver allegedly swerved to avoid colliding with a delivery vehicle, lost control, and the bus overturned.
Initial reports put the death toll at nine, but further investigations at the scene confirmed 16 fatalities.
The injured were taken to the hospital in Worcester, about 120km from Cape Town. At least 43 passengers refused medical treatment.
Zwane said the cause of the crash would be subject to an ongoing investigation by the RTMC and the South African Police Service.
More: Xinhua
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