At least 45 people were killed and one child seriously injured Thursday after a bus of pilgrims went off a cliff in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
An 8-year-old girl survived the crash and was airlifted to a nearby hospital, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
“I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala,” South African Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.”
The bus was traveling from Botswana to a church in South Africa for an Easter conference at the time of the accident, which occurred in the Mamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, but the transport ministry said the driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the barriers on a bridge before going over the railings.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa released an Easter message earlier Thursday, urging travelers to stay safe on the roads. South Africa has a poor road safety record, according to the BBC.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“Let’s do our best to make this a safe Easter,” Ramaphosa said. “Easter does not have to be a time where we sit back and wait to see statistics on tragedy or injuries on our roads.”
Chikunga said the South African government will repatriate the bodies of the deceased to Botswana.
