School bus crash in South Africa kills at least 13 children, police say

Описание: (19 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa - 19 January 2026
1. Wide of police officers and emergency personnel at the scene of a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark
2. Wide of damaged scholar transport vehicle and police officers inspecting the crash site
3. Mid of a severely damaged vehicle
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mavela Masondo, Gauteng Police Spokesperson:
"A scholar transport Quantum (minibus) was driving in this road. And when he was overtaking, he collided, the driver collided with the truck that was coming from the opposite direction. And that's what led to the investigation, that's what led to the accident."
5. Wide of emergency responders at the scene of the accident
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mavela Masondo, Gauteng Police Spokesperson:
"Yes, if we count the numbers for now, it tells us that the Quantum (minibus) was overloaded. Because the learners, we are talking about 17 of them, so including the driver, it means it's 18 people that were in that Quantum (minibus), so obviously it tells us that it was overloaded. Hence, I'm saying that more charges might be added as we continue with our investigation."
7. Wide of police officers and emergency personnel examining the scene
8. Close up of damaged vehicle at the scene
9. Wide of emergency responders attending to the scene of the scholar transport crash
STORYLINE:
A side tipper truck collided with a scholar transport mini bus taxi vehicle in the south of the Gauteng province, South Africa, killing at least 12 children, authorities said on Monday.

Preliminary reports indicated that 11 children were dead at the scene, with one additional student succumbing to injuries in hospital.

The private scholar transport vehicle was transporting students to various primary and high schools in the southwest of Johannesburg on Monday when the incident occurred at approximately 07:00 in Vanderbijlpark, according to authorities.

Witnesses at the scene said the taxi carrying the children was allegedly overtaking other stationery vehicles when it hit the truck in a head-on collision.

A case of culpable homicide is being investigated while the truck driver will also be questioned, police said.

Mavela Masondo, Gauteng Police’s spokesperson, said there may be further charges.

“Including the driver, it means it's 18 people that were in that Quantum (minibus), so obviously it tells us that it was overloaded. Hence, I'm saying that more charges might be added as we continue with our investigation,” he told The Associated Press.

Gauteng Emergency services transported five patients to Sebokeng Hospital, while two others were taken to Kopanong Hospital for further medical care.

The driver also suffered injuries and was among those taken to hospital.

Emergency services were seen on the scene picking books and stationery while parents were weeping uncontrollably.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of life in the collision saying national and provincial authorities would provide families and schools with the necessary psychosocial support.

AP video by Nqobile Ntshangase

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