The N2 highway near St Lucia became the scene of a devastating tragedy this Sunday, as a collision between a minibus taxi and a truck claimed the lives of 11 people in the early hours of the morning.
The accident occurred at approximately 4:00 AM within the Inkosi Mtubatuba Municipality. According to initial reports from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, the minibus taxi was travelling northbound when it collided head-on with a truck travelling in the opposite direction. The force of the impact caused the taxi to catch fire, leading to a scene of absolute devastation for emergency responders.
Beyond the 11 lives lost, eight other passengers were pulled from the wreckage with critical injuries. Officials have confirmed that some of the survivors are currently being treated for severe burn wounds, adding a harrowing layer to the incident.
Siboniso Duma, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, has expressed his deepest condolences to the grieving families. In a statement issued shortly after the accident, the MEC acknowledged the profound impact of such a loss on the community.
“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones in this horrific incident. We stand with them during this incredibly difficult time,” a spokesperson for the MEC said.
As the province reels from yet another deadly road incident, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has confirmed it is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash. Investigators are expected to look into multiple factors, including road conditions, driver fatigue, and mechanical integrity, as they seek to understand how this collision resulted in such a catastrophic loss of life.