A minibus crashed on Friday near the South African capital, Pretoria, killing at least 19 school children and a driver, the worst tragedy in the country involving school children, in years.
The children died after the vehicle burst into flames following a collision with a truck just north of the capital,
According to the Gauteng Education Department, the driver of the minibus had underestimated the speed of the truck and collided with him whilst turning.
“It is believed the driver of minibus underestimated the speed of the truck and collided with him whilst turning,” it said in a statement.
Emergency services managed to rescue seven children before the bus burst into flames.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident however managed to survive.
The children that lost their lives in the crash are said to have been both primary and secondary school students.
Panyaza Lesufi, the official responsible for education in Gauteng province, said it was a “dark day”.
