Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal – A devastating head-on collision between a vehicle and a truck on the N2 highway near Mandeni, on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, has claimed the lives of eight people, including seven high school pupils.

The tragic accident, which occurred earlier today, has also left several people believed to be missing, according to emergency services.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate confirmed that the vehicle, carrying the pupils, collided with a truck, resulting in the fatalities. Emergency responders are still searching for those unaccounted for.

A ninth person, critically injured in the crash, is receiving medical attention.