JohannesburgIn the southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, a truck struck a school minibus, killing up to 12 children, according to officials. The incident took place in the province of Gauteng on Monday.According to emergency services, the majority of the victims passed away right away. Shortly after the collision, eleven children were declared dead. After being taken to the hospital with severe injuries, another child passed away while receiving treatment.
Children were being transported by the privately run minibus to a number of local elementary and secondary schools. According to the authorities, the collision happened at around 7 a.m. during the peak morning travel time.
Witnesses claim that the minibus carrying the kids collided head-on with a truck while trying to pass other parked cars. The truck driver will be questioned, according to police confirmation that an investigation is in progress.
While emergency personnel gathered up scattered schoolbooks and stationery, distraught parents were seen sobbing at the scene.
President Ramaphosa shows distressIn addition to expressing his profound sadness over the tragedy, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that both national and local authorities would make sure that impacted families and schools received emotional and psychological support.
He was quoted by AP as saying, "Our children are the nation's most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners."
The minister of education points out mistakes made by school bus driversSiviwe Gwarube, the minister of basic education, has expressed concern about the security of school transportation nationwide. According to her, driver error is a major contributing factor in many accidents involving cars transporting students.
Gwarube claims that these incidents endanger children's lives and indicate major issues with the way school transportation is run. In order to guarantee that children are transported safely every day, she emphasized the need for increased caution.
The minister has called on the Department of Transport to take charge and bolster supervision.