By Lucy Adautin
A devastating accident involving a school bus and a train resulted in the deaths of six children and injured 19 others, the South African government reported on Thursday.
The collision occurred Wednesday afternoon near Mafube village, close to Middelburg, approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) northeast of Johannesburg, according to local media.
Initially reported as five fatalities, the death toll was revised to six on Thursday morning.
“The sixth learner succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the nearby hospital,” stated the provincial transport department.
The tragic incident happened when a school bus carrying around 30 students crossed a railway line just as a train was approaching, the department explained.
“We cannot lose such young and innocent lives due to recklessness,” the government emphasized, urging accountability for negligence.
Both the bus and train drivers are recovering in the hospital, the provincial ministry informed the media.
Despite having one of the most developed road networks in Africa, South Africa also has one of the worst road safety records, largely due to reckless driving and unroadworthy vehicles.
For millions of working-class South Africans, privately owned minibus taxis are the primary mode of transportation, with many parents depending on these services to get their children to school.
