At least 16 dead after bus crashes on motorway in South Africa

At least 16 people were killed when a bus crashed on a motorway near Johannesburg’s international airport in South Africa on Tuesday, the country’s transport ministry has said.

Ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi confirmed that 12 passengers died at the scene and four others died later from their injuries in hospital.

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, officials said.

The bus, which was transporting people from the township of Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, crashed near O.R.Tambo International Airport, they added.

“On arrival we found patients lying across the road,” said William Ntladi, an emergency management spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni municipality.

Ntladi added that 11 passengers were critically injured, while another 24 suffered moderate to serious injuries.

Responding to the tragedy, Andile Mngwevu, a city councillor, said: “We are lost for words. This is a disaster.

“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.”

South African Transport Minister Barbra Creecy said she was “extremely concerned” by the crash, which is the country’s third serious bus accident in the past week.

Creecy has asked the Road Traffic Management Corporation to meet with all bus operators soon to speak about improving passenger safety.