South Africa mourns 13 schoolkids killed in bus crash

South ​Africa has mourned the deaths of 13 schoolchildren who ⁠perished when their minibus collided with a truck, local officials say in a statement, in an incident that put the spotlight on the country's dismal road safety record.

Three other children ‌were in hospital ​being treated for injuries following the incident near ‍the industrial Vanderbijlpark city south of Johannesburg, officials said in an earlier statement.

The bus passengers were boys and girls of primary and secondary school age.

A dangerous overtaking manoeuvre could have caused the incident, a police official told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, adding that a culpable ​homicide case would be opened.

President ‌Cyril Ramaphosa expressed condolences to the families, teachers and friends of the victims, ​saying in a statement "we must do all we can" ‍to protect learners.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said last week that the number of deaths on South Africa's ​roads ​was "a reason for national ​shame" despite a drop in deaths ​last year.

There were 11,418 road deaths in 2025, about six per cent lower than a year earlier but still equivalent to an average of 31 deaths a day.

The fatalities were largely due to speeding and drink driving, Creecy said at the ‍time.

with DPA