A collision involving a minibus taxi and a bakkie has claimed the lives of 15 people and left five others injured. The tragic accident, described as one of the deadliest in recent memory for the region, occurred just after midnight on Saturday on the R63 road between Adelaide and Maqoma, formerly known as Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape.
The minibus taxi was reportedly en route from Qonce to Cape Town when it collided head-on with the bakkie. The impact was catastrophic, resulting in the immediate death of the bakkie’s driver at the scene. Tragically, 13 passengers in the minibus taxi, including the driver, were also declared dead on arrival, leaving a stark reminder of the dangers faced on South Africa’s roads.
Authorities responded swiftly, with six surviving passengers from the minibus being rushed to hospital. However, the grim news was confirmed shortly after arrival when one of those injured succumbed to their injuries, further heightening the sorrow surrounding the incident.
Unathi Binqose, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape transport department, expressed deep condolences to the families affected. “This is by far the deadliest crash we’ve witnessed in the Eastern Cape in a long, long time. Not even in December or during the recent Easter holidays did we see one crash that has claimed so many lives,” Binqose reflected. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that have lost loved ones in a flash.”
In the wake of this tragedy, authorities are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, urging investigators to leave no stone unturned in determining the true cause of this calamity.