Tragic Multi-Vehicle Eastern Cape Crash Near Bulembu Airport Claims Seven Lives

• Seven people lost their lives in a tragic multi-vehicle crash on the N2 near Bulembu Airport in the Eastern Cape
• Investigations into the accident have commenced, focusing on culpable homicide and contributing factors
• Eastern Cape transport officials urged motorists to exercise caution to prevent further road tragedies

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

EASTERN CAPE - Seven people died in a multi-vehicle crash on the N2 near Bulembu Airport outside Qonce in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.

Multi-vehicle crash kills seven people

The provincial Department of Transport's preliminary report indicates that a bakkie carrying six occupants collided with a light motor vehicle before slamming into another bakkie. It is alleged that the crash involved a Toyota Hilux, a Mercedes-Benz and a Nissan Navara. Five occupants of the Hilux and both occupants of the Navara died on the scene. Three occupants of the Mercedes-Benz survived the crash. Two of them sustained injuries and were taken to Grey Hospital for treatment. Police have opened a case of culpable homicide and are investigating the circumstances of the collision.

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Eastern Cape Transport and Safety spokesperson Unathi Binqose urged motorists to exercise greater caution. He said even one death on the roads is one too many and called on drivers to take responsibility to prevent further tragedies. Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased. He said the department was deeply saddened by the loss of life and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He added that the crash serves as a reminder to road users to exercise caution, patience and responsible behaviour at all times.

Other road accidents in SA

Some family members of the 11 people killed in a crash on the R102 have called for the owner of the truck to be held accountable. Eleven people, including a scholar, were killed in a horrific crash in Isipingo, south of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on 29 January 2026. The accident involved a truck and a taxi. The taxi driver was injured in the crash, while the truck driver had to be taken to a safe place following the outrage over the incident.

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A tragic accident near Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal has left several school children dead, according to initial reports. The accident, which occurred between a minibus taxi and a truck, occurred on the Golden Highway between Bophelong and Sebokeng on 17 January 2026. Parents with children attending Vaal Primary School and surrounding schools are also advised to check whether their kids made it safely to school if they were using a scholar transport vehicle.

At least three people have been killed following a horrific accident involving a bakkie and a truck on the N3 Durban-bound, before the Shongweni off-ramp. ALS Paramedics responded to the crash and found the bakkie engulfed in flames, and the truck down an embankment. The Ethekweni Fire Department were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Source: Briefly News