13 children were killed in a school bus accident

Authorities in South Africa said that a truck collided with a small school bus in Gauteng province, killing at least 13 children.

Initial reports indicated that 11 schoolchildren died on the spot, while two children succumbed to their wounds in the hospital.

The private bus was transporting students to several primary and secondary schools in southwest Johannesburg on Monday, when the accident occurred at about 7 a.m. local time, authorities said.

Eyewitnesses said that the bus carrying the students was overtaking other parked cars when it collided head-on with the truck. Police said the cause of the accident is being investigated, and the truck driver will be questioned.

Gauteng Emergency Services took five injured people to Sebokeng Hospital, while two others were taken to Kobanong Hospital to receive medical care. The bus driver was injured and was among those taken to the hospital.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness at the loss of life, saying that national and regional authorities would provide families and schools with the necessary psychological support.

“Our children are the nation’s most valuable assets and we must do everything we can – from following road rules to the quality of service providers involved in transporting students – to protect learners,” Ramaphosa said.