At least 20 school children have been reported by local media in South African to have died in a car accident.
The pupils who were traveling in a minibus taxi died after the vehicle crashed into another truck and burst into flames at Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria on Friday.
The Gauteng education department confirmed the tragic incident in a statement.
The department’s spokesperson Steve Mabona told local media that details are still sketchy.
“There are about 30 people involved in this accident but we can confirm that about 20 of the learners passed away on the scene. Emergency services are there to assist those who might have survived,” Mabona added.
Mabona said “Initial reports suggested that the taxi collided head-on with a truck. Upon arrival, we found fire services already in attendance after they extinguished the burning taxi.”
I am told almost 18 learners died in this accident. I am on my way to the scene. It’s a dark day for education in GP/MP https://t.co/JXtM60ICNX
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) April 21, 2017
A spokesperson for the Emergency Medical Service of South Africa Johan Pieterse told News24 that “Some of the pupils burnt beyond recognition, as they were trapped inside the taxi.”
“They were travelling in a 22-seater taxi. Seven survived – two were critical and five are serious,” Pieterse said.
[UPDATE] – The number of fatalities from the R25 collision has once again risen and confirmed at 20 children. @ewnupdates @eNCA @JacaNews
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) April 21, 2017
Source: Africafeeds.com
