Thirteen school pupils have died in South Africa after the minibus they were travelling in collided with a lorry south of the city of Johannesburg. The crash happened on Monday morning at around 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) in Vanderbijlpark, according to the local education authority.
Eleven students died at the scene, while two succumbed to their injuries later on. Two other pupils remain in critical condition. The minibus driver crashed into the lorry after attempting to overtake two vehicles, police spokesperson Mavela Masondo explained.
A case of culpable homicide is being opened. The minibus driver is reportedly receiving treatment in hospital, while details about the lorry driver are unclear. Such fatal road collisions are not uncommon in South Africa, often linked to speeding, reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles.
In 2025 alone, over 11,000 people lost their lives in accident-related incidents in the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his distress over the collision, emphasizing the need for road safety in protecting South Africa's youth who he considers the nation's most precious assets.
Eleven students died at the scene, while two succumbed to their injuries later on. Two other pupils remain in critical condition. The minibus driver crashed into the lorry after attempting to overtake two vehicles, police spokesperson Mavela Masondo explained.
A case of culpable homicide is being opened. The minibus driver is reportedly receiving treatment in hospital, while details about the lorry driver are unclear. Such fatal road collisions are not uncommon in South Africa, often linked to speeding, reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles.
In 2025 alone, over 11,000 people lost their lives in accident-related incidents in the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his distress over the collision, emphasizing the need for road safety in protecting South Africa's youth who he considers the nation's most precious assets.
