CAPE TOWN, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people were killed after a bus overturned on the N1 highway near Touwsrivier, known in English as Touws River, in South Africa's Western Cape province early Thursday, local authorities said.
"We confirm an incident on the N1 near Touwsrivier at approximately 00:40 this morning, where a bus transporting South African residents has overturned," said the Western Cape Mobility Department in a statement.
"Tragically, 16 people have lost their lives, while two others sustained serious injuries," it said.
"Emergency services remain on scene, providing assistance and managing the incident," the department said, adding that a stop-and-go traffic system was in place as rescue and recovery operations continued.
In a separate statement, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the government agency tasked with overseeing road safety in South Africa, said the bus was travelling from Cape Town to Idutywa in the Eastern Cape province.
According to RTMC, it was allegedly involved in a single-vehicle crash after the driver swerved to avoid colliding with a delivery vehicle, lost control and the bus overturned.
"The crash resulted in 16 fatalities, 20 occupants sustained injuries and were transported to Worcester Hospital. Forty-three occupants refused medical treatment," said RTMC.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the RTMC and the South African Police Service.
Meanwhile, the National Department of Transport said in a statement that Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa had expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
The ministry said the ministers had also directed the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to provide assistance to the bereaved families and injured passengers.
It added that the RTMC had been instructed to investigate the cause of the crash in cooperation with local authorities, with a preliminary report expected within 48 hours once the investigation begins. ■
