12 Schoolchildren and Driver Killed in South Africa Minibus Crash

Johannesburg, South Africa: Tragedy struck on Wednesday in the town of Merafong, west of Johannesburg, when a minibus transporting schoolchildren overturned and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of twelve schoolchildren and their driver. The horrific accident occurred a day after schools had reopened following the winter holidays.

According to reports, a small truck, locally known as a bakkie, slammed into the back of the minibus, causing it to overturn and burst into flames. The incident has shocked the local community and prompted an outpouring of grief and concern.

Seven other children were injured in the crash and were rushed to a hospital in the nearby area of Carletonville. Education and transport officials, along with the head of the Gauteng provincial government, Panyaza Lesufi, visited the scene of the crash and the injured children in the hospital to offer support and assess the situation.

Steve Mabona, spokesman for the Gauteng education department, confirmed that eleven of the deceased children attended Rocklands Primary School, while the twelfth was a student at Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville. Describing the incident as a "horrific accident," Mabona said, "The pupils' transport was hit from behind by a bakkie, causing it to overturn and subsequently catch fire."

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This tragic event highlights the reliance of thousands of schoolchildren in Gauteng on private minibuses for their daily commute to and from school. The region's transport system also includes municipal buses and taxis, which are essential for many residents of South Africa's most populous province.

As the community mourns the loss of young lives, the incident has raised questions about road safety and the measures needed to prevent such devastating accidents in the future. The Gauteng provincial government and other relevant authorities are expected to conduct thorough investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash and to implement necessary precautions to ensure the safety of schoolchildren on the roads.