12 killed in bus crash on South Africa highway
Forty-five other people were injured when the vehicle overturned in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
At least 12 people died and 45 others were injured when a bus overturned on a highway in the South African city of Johannesburg on Tuesday, emergency services said.
Some passengers were thrown out of the vehicle.
Emergency crews were trying to lift the bus back on to its wheels to see if any more victims were trapped underneath it, said William Nthladi, spokesman for the city’s Ekurhuleni Emergency Management.
“On arrival we found patients lying across the road,” he said.
Handbags, a lunch box and a water bottle were visible among the belongings.
“We are lost for words. This is a disaster,” said Andile Mngwevu, a local city councillor who went to the scene.
“To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and the city really feels for the families who would have expected to see their loved ones return home later today. Our hearts are extremely heavy right now.”
The crash happened early in the morning on a highway near Johannesburg’s main OR Tambo International Airport and left the bus lying on its side.
Officials said it had been transporting people from the township or Katlehong, east of Johannesburg.
He also said he was unable to give exact details on the extent of the injuries of those taken to hospital, who included the driver, but said they ranged from serious to critical.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash and officials have not yet been able to determine the cause.
Police are investigating and the crash is being treated as a crime scene because of the fatalities, Mr Nthladi added.
