45 Killed After South Africa Bus Crash

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Facts

• On Thursday, 45 people were killed in South Africa after a bus carrying worshippers to an Easter weekend celebration crashed into a bridge, plunged down a mountain pass, and burst into flames, killing everyone except a seriously injured 8-year-old girl.¹
• The bus was traveling from Gaborone, Botswana's capital, to a popular Easter festival in Moria in the northern Limpopo province. However, the vehicle crashed on a bridge in a mountainous area near Mamatlakala, descending 164 feet (50m) into a ravine before catching fire.²
• A South Africa Department of Transport spokesperson said the sole survivor is currently in 'stable condition' at a hospital, adding that she was likely ejected out of the bus when it hit the bridge.³
• Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, though there's speculation the driver lost control of the bus.⁴
• South African Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa said all the victims were from Botswana, and he contacted the country’s leader to offer his condolences and help. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said the government will repatriate the bodies to Botswana.⁵
• South Africa has some of the world's highest road fatality rates in the world, and the country had 12.4K traffic deaths in 2022, which the Automobile Association of South Africa called a 'national crisis.' The group has also urged the government to invest more in road safety.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Al Jazeera, ³BBC News, ⁴CNN, ⁵Guardian and ⁶New York Times.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by University of Fort Hare. South Africa has failed to adequately invest in road safety, leading to a national crisis and major tragedies. Much of the country’s roads — especially in rural areas — are accidents waiting to happen, so the government must immediately invest in major infrastructure improvements.
• Narrative B, as provided by World Construction Network. South Africa is doing its best to allocate its financial resources in the most effective way. In 2024, the government is prioritizing infrastructure and transportation, building up roads and other public infrastructure. However, it will take some time for South Africa to achieve its ambitious infrastructure goals, which will help to prevent tragic accidents in the future.

Predictions