The bus, which was travelling from Cape Town to Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, was carrying about 78 passengers, including children. Image: RTMC
Western Cape
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South Africa
Western Cape bus crash: 16 dead, 20 injured after N1 overturn
Sixteen people have died and at least 20 others were injured after a bus carrying passengers from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape overturned near Touws River in the Western Cape, marking the country's second fatal bus crash in two days.
South Africa is mourning another devastating road tragedy after 16 people lost their lives in a bus crash on the N1 near Touws River in the Western Cape on Wednesday.
The bus, which was travelling from Cape Town to Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, was carrying about 78 passengers, including children, when it overturned in what authorities believe was a single-vehicle crash.
In a statement on Thursday morning, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said 20 passengers sustained injuries and were taken to Worcester Hospital for treatment, while 43 others declined medical attention. Emergency services remained at the scene as recovery operations continued, with officials warning that casualty figures could still change.
The crash comes less than 24 hours after another fatal bus accident in Limpopo, where a driver died when a bus transporting Malawian nationals overturned. The RTMC has confirmed it is investigating both incidents.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise extra caution during the winter season, warning that fog, smoke, black ice and poor visibility significantly increase the risk of crashes on South Africa's roads.
The RTMC said further details would be released once the recovery process has been completed.
