Fifteen lives were tragically lost in a devastating accident on the N9 highway near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape on Monday morning, when an SUV and a minibus taxi collided head-on, Cape {town} Etc reports.
According to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the crash involved a Hyundai Creta, carrying six people, and a minibus taxi that was travelling in the opposite direction. The two vehicles collided around 6:30am as the SUV was en route from Middelburg to Graaff-Reinet, while the minibus taxi was headed toward Middelburg.
All six occupants of the SUV, believed to be family members, were killed instantly at the scene. The minibus taxi, which had a number of passengers, was also heavily impacted, with seven fatalities reported on-site. Tragically, a 14th victim later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, bringing the death toll to 15.
Eleven other individuals from the minibus taxi were rushed to the local hospital with various injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine what led to the catastrophic collision.
Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Development, Xolile Nqatha, expressed his profound sorrow following the accident. ‘This is an incredibly tragic event. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we wish a swift recovery to those injured,’ Nqatha said. ‘We continue to urge all motorists to be vigilant on the road, especially during this busy travel season.’
The incident comes on the heels of several other serious road accidents in the region. Just days earlier, on 8 December, three people were killed in a head-on crash involving a sedan and a van on the R61 near Bizana. Two other people were injured in that accident, which has prompted an ongoing investigation.
Authorities have also been monitoring the increasing flow of traffic between the Western and Eastern Cape, particularly as the festive season approaches. Over 500 minibus taxis were expected to make daily trips across the region, and with the surge in traffic, transport officials have issued repeated calls for extra caution on the roads.
In the wake of this latest tragedy, the department is urging all drivers to exercise heightened caution as the holiday season intensifies traffic volume. The Eastern Cape has unfortunately seen an uptick in deadly head-on collisions in recent months, underscoring the need for greater safety awareness.
As investigations continue, the community remains in mourning for the lives lost in this devastating crash.
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Picture: Arrive Alive / Facebook
