Local media reports confirm that a truck collided with a bus transporting mineworkers, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The incident, which unfolded late in the day, was reported by the Times Live website. Arezwothe Protection Services, a local security company, revealed that the majority of the bus passengers tragically lost their lives at the scene of the accident.
The collision took place at approximately 5 p.m. local time (1500GMT) between the towns of Niani and Musina, just a few kilometers away from South Africa's border with Zimbabwe.
Reports from SA Trucker, an online magazine catering to truckers in southern Africa, indicate that both the bus and the truck caught fire following the collision, with passengers still trapped inside the bus.
Arezwothe Protection Services posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), providing additional details about the incident. According to their report, the accident involved a bus transporting mineworkers en route to the Venetia Diamond Mine and a truck.
The Venetia Diamond Mine, which is owned by De Beers, holds the distinction of being the country's largest producer of diamonds, adding a layer of significance to the tragedy.
As of now, provincial officials have not been readily available for comment. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. (ILKHA)