A tragic incident occurred in South Africa when a bus crashed over a bridge, resulting in the loss of forty-five lives. Miraculously, an 8-year-old girl managed to survive this devastating accident. The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety shared this heartbreaking news on their Facebook page.

On Thursday, a tragic accident took place on the Mma Matlakala Bridge between Marken and Mokopane in the northern province of Limpopo, South Africa, approximately 200 miles north of Johannesburg.

According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation, a bus was carrying 45 passengers from Gaborone, Botswana, to a church in Moira, Limpopo Province, for the upcoming Easter weekend. The vehicle was registered in a neighboring country. At the moment, department officials are working to verify the citizenships of the victims.

The Facebook announcement stated that the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to fall onto a rocky surface about 50 meters below the bridge. The bus also caught fire, according to reports.

After the rescue teams arrived, they found that some of the victims’ bodies had been severely burned, making them unidentifiable. Meanwhile, other bodies were trapped under the debris or scattered around the scene.

According to a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety reported that the sole survivor of the accident was «seriously injured.» She was then taken to a nearby hospital and is currently receiving treatment, according to the Facebook announcement.

My thoughts go out to the families impacted by the devastating bus crash near Mamatlakala. «Our hearts go out to you during this challenging period,» expressed Minister Chikunga, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). «It is crucial to emphasize the importance of responsible driving and staying watchful, especially during the Easter weekend when our roads are busier than usual.»

«Our deepest condolences go out to the families, government, and people of Botswana. As South Africa, we are committed to providing any assistance necessary to ensure that their loved ones can be returned to their home country and laid to rest with the respect they deserve,» stated Minister Chikunga, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation.