Thirteen schoolchildren killed after bus collides with lorry in South Africa

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 1 min read 100% complete January 19, 2026 at 02:13 PM

AI Summary

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Thirteen schoolchildren in South Africa died on Monday morning after their minibus collided with a lorry near Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. Eleven students died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries; two remain in critical condition. According to police, the minibus driver was attempting to overtake two vehicles when the crash occurred. A case of culpable homicide will be opened, and the minibus driver is reportedly hospitalized. Fatal road collisions are common in South Africa due to factors like speeding and reckless driving. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the crash "distressing" and emphasized the need to protect learners.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Johannesburg 60% Gauteng 60% Vanderbijlpark 70% Mavela Masondo 70% Cyril Ramaphosa 70% South Africa ×390%

Keywords

school bus crash 100% schoolchildren 90% south africa 80% road collision 70% road safety 60% culpable homicide 60% reckless driving 50% traffic accident 50% fatalities 40%