School bus crash in South Africa kills at least 13 children, police say

At least 13 children lost their lives Monday morning when a school minibus collided with a truck in South Africa’s Gauteng province, authorities confirmed. The tragic incident occurred around 7 a.m. as the private vehicle was transporting students to various primary and high schools in southwestern Johannesburg.

According to preliminary reports, 11 children died immediately at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to local hospitals. Emergency services transported five injured students to Sebokeng Hospital and two others to Kopanong Hospital for urgent medical care. The minibus driver also sustained injuries in the crash and was among those hospitalized.

Witnesses described a harrowing scene, reporting that the minibus was attempting to overtake stationary vehicles when it collided head-on with the truck. The area quickly transformed into a place of mourning as parents arrived, many weeping uncontrollably while emergency responders worked, collecting scattered school books and stationery from the wreckage.

Provincial education department minister Matome Chiloane told reporters that authorities would investigate whether the minibus driver had been driving recklessly at the time of the collision. Police have confirmed an ongoing investigation and plan to question the truck driver as part of their inquiry.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed profound sadness over the tragedy, pledging that national and provincial authorities would provide affected families and schools with necessary psychosocial support.

“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can — from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers,” Ramaphosa said in his statement addressing the incident.

This accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in South Africa, particularly regarding school transportation. The country’s minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, noted that many accidents involving school transport vehicles stem from driver error. She called on the Department of Transport to implement stricter measures ensuring that vehicles entrusted with transporting schoolchildren meet all roadworthiness requirements.

Road safety has long been a pressing issue in South Africa, where approximately 14,000 people die annually in traffic accidents, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation. School transport safety, in particular, remains a critical concern, with numerous incidents involving student transportation reported each year.

Private minibuses often serve as school transport in many South African communities, especially in areas where public school bus services are limited or unavailable. While these services fill a crucial transportation gap, safety regulation and enforcement remain inconsistent across regions.

Transportation experts have repeatedly called for stronger regulatory frameworks for school transport operators, including mandatory safety inspections, driver training requirements, and stricter enforcement of passenger capacity limits.

Monday’s tragedy in Gauteng adds to a disturbing pattern of similar incidents across the country in recent years. In 2022, South Africa’s Department of Transport launched a National School Transport Safety Campaign aimed at reducing accidents involving school transportation vehicles, though implementation has varied by province.

Local authorities have not yet released the names of the victims as they continue to notify family members. Community leaders have announced plans for a memorial service to honor the children while counseling services are being arranged for classmates and teachers at the affected schools.

The investigation into the exact cause of the collision continues, with authorities expected to provide additional details in the coming days.