Limpopo Bus Crash: 9 Victims Identified, Authorities Expect Long Identification Process

• The Limpopo health department confirmed that only 9 bodies had been positively identified in the tragic bus crash, which led to 45 fatalities
• Authorities from Botswana and South Africa anticipate a prolonged process in identifying the bodies as they await postmortem results
• Only 34 body bags have been received by the Limpopo health department, and ongoing police operations are concentrated on ensuring all victims are located

Trisha Pillay is a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg. She has devoted her professional life to covering social issues and community news for 13 years, sharing her expertise with newsrooms like the Citizen Newspaper, African News Network, and Newzroom Afrika. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email trisha. pillay@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.

LIMPOPO - The Limpopo Health Department has confirmed receiving only 34 body bags from Thursday's bus crash on the R518, with nine bodies identified so far.

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9 bodies identified

The crash is believed to have resulted in 45 fatalities, prompting ongoing police recovery operations to locate and retrieve all victims.

Some bodies were burned beyond recognition, while others were trapped inside or scattered at the accident scene.

The only survivor, an 8-year-old girl, is in hospital with serious injuries.

According to SABC, authorities from Botswana and South Africa say identifying the bodies will take a long as they wait for postmortem results. It is unclear when the process will be finalised.

Easter event

On Thursday, the bus transporting people from Botswana to Moria crashed off a bridge near Mokopane in Limpopo. It's understood that the bus was carrying worshippers who were going to attend the annual Easter pilgrimage to Moria.

This is the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that the Zion Christian Church, one of the biggest churches in the region, has done the event.

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According to reports, the bus driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge, causing the bus to go over the bridge, which plummeted about 50 metres. It caught fire when it hit the ground below.

The R518 road has now been open to traffic.

Mzansi saddened

The tragic accident has made news around the world as 45 people tragically lost their lives. People expressed their condolences to the families of those who passed away.

Read the reactions below:

@Gilbert Thero Kgololo shared:

"The most hardworking MEC, Dr Phophi, is always hands-on; we appreciate you from Botswana. May the souls of the departed find rest."

@Mosimanegape Sam commented:

"I'm sure it was the first time the driver passed through that road. Or maybe he was tired. Condolences to the families of the victims."

@Philippe Sydney Lionnet expressed:

"Fix the potholes. They are killing us, especially in Kaunda ethekwini."

Bill Kings commented:

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"That's tragic, too many souls lost."

@Chiefaloh Chiefaloh saddened:

"This is just so heartbreaking and sad."

Multiple Car Collision Horror on N14 Leaves 24 Injured

In another related story, Briefly News reported that a truck collided with 18 vehicles on the N14 in Centurion in the early hours of 12 March.

The incident resulted in many people sustaining injuries as a result of the pile-up.

Motorists who frequently use the N14 noted that drivers habitually disregard the rule of law on that road.

Source: Briefly News