Moria, March 30, 2024: At least 45 were killed when a bus carrying people from Botswana heading to an Easter conference in South Africa’s Limpopo province plunged into a ravine and caught fire.
The only survivor of the March 28 crash is an eight-year-old girl, currently hospitalized with undisclosed injuries, reports premierchristian.news.
Associated Press quoted the Limpopo provincial government to say the bus veered off the Mmamatlakala bridge and plunged 164 feet into a ravine before busting into flames.
Search operations were ongoing, the provincial government said, but many bodies were burned beyond recognition and still trapped inside the vehicle.
The South African government often warns of the danger of road accidents during the Easter holidays, which is a particularly busy and dangerous time for road travel. More than 200 people died in road crashes during the Easter weekend last year.
The Easter conference is being hosted by the Zion Christian Church, which is headquartered at Moria in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
The annual conference draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from South Africa and neighboring countries.
This year marked the first Easter pilgrimage since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha has urged drivers to remain vigilant and exercise caution, especially when navigating challenging road conditions.
He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims, both in Botswana and South Africa, as they navigate through this unimaginable loss and grief. I extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy. May they find strength, comfort, and solace in this difficult time.”
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.