A deadly bus accident on the R21 northbound near the OR Tambo International Airport interchange in Ekurhuleni claimed at least 16 lives early Tuesday morning, leaving 45 others injured. Emergency services rushed to the scene, attending to the wounded before transporting them to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said its crash investigation teams remained on-site, working to determine the cause of the accident. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.
“Sixteen people have now died, but we are still going to investigate everything. Once the bus has been taken out, we’ll do a full mechanical investigation on both vehicles,” explained Spokesperson for Road Traffic Management Corporation, Simon Zwane.
The bus, traveling from Katlehong to Pomona, overturned, ejecting several passengers onto the roadway. Emergency responders described the scene as chaotic, with bodies strewn across the highway and some victims still trapped inside the wreckage. Rescue teams worked to retrieve the bodies of two deceased individuals who remained inside the bus.
The exact cause of the accident has not yet been confirmed by authorities, but initial investigations indicate that the driver might have lost control. No other vehicles were involved in the incident. Investigators will look into potential factors, including driver fatigue, mechanical issues, and road conditions.
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The City of Ekurhuleni Municipality has dispatched its emergency teams and disaster management staff to help with the aftermath, coordinating with hospitals to ensure swift medical treatment for the injured. Families of those deceased or injured are being notified, and counseling services are being organized for those impacted by the incident.
A local city councillor , Andile Mngwevu, who visited the scene explained how much of a disaster the incident was.
“To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and the city really feels for the families who would have expected to see their loved ones return home later today. Our hearts are extremely heavy right now,” said Mngwevu.
Traffic authorities have closed the R21 northbound to allow for emergency operations, advising drivers to find alternate routes, which has led to significant traffic congestion, especially for those heading toward Pretoria and nearby areas.
The ill-fated bus was carrying many passengers believed to be workers commuting to their jobs in the industrial sector of Pomona. The total number of passengers aboard during the accident remains uncertain, as authorities continue to account for the deceased and injured.
Future developments in the inquiry will examine the bus’s condition prior to departure to ascertain compliance with safety regulations. Transport authorities will also evaluate whether the driver was adhering to speed limits and if any road infrastructure concerns played a role in the accident.
This incident follows another tragic road accident in Ekurhuleni just the day before, where four schoolchildren lost their lives on the N12 near Daveyton. The recent tragedies have heightened concerns regarding road safety in the region, leading to calls for stricter enforcement of transport regulations and enhancements to road infrastructure.
Officials have promised a thorough investigation will be carried out, and appropriate measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. Further updates are anticipated as authorities continue to evaluate the situation.
