On Monday, the government department of Gauteng Province in South Africa confirmed that a collision between a private school bus and a truck in the southern part of Johannesburg has resulted in the deaths of 14 students, with several other students being injured.
According to media reports, the accident occurred at around 7 a.m. on Monday in the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark, located about 60 kilometers south of Johannesburg. The area is known for its high density of factories and heavy truck traffic.
Gauteng Province Premier Panyaza Lesufi stated after receiving a briefing on the accident investigation that the small bus carrying students attempted to overtake another vehicle but collided with an oncoming truck during the process. The truck driver tried to swerve to avoid the collision, but was unable to prevent the accident.
The Gauteng Province Department of Education reported that after the accident, 11 students died at the scene. Later, rescue workers found one student’s body under the overturned bus and two more students succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the hospital, raising the death toll to 14.
In addition, four students with serious injuries were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with two of them in critical condition.
At the scene of the accident, the Head of the Education Department, Matome Chiloane, mentioned that the ages of the deceased students are currently unknown, but they are from primary and secondary schools.
Video footage circulating on social media shows the mangled bus parked on the side of the road, with grief-stricken parents gathered behind police lines. Some parents couldn’t hold back their tears when given the opportunity to view the bodies.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo stated that the bus driver allegedly lost control while overtaking, leading to the tragedy. Furthermore, the bus was overloaded, carrying 17 students while the vehicle is supposed to seat only 14.
Both drivers involved in the accident survived. The school bus driver will undergo formal questioning after receiving medical treatment, and the police have initiated a case investigation for culpable homicide.
South African President Ramaphosa expressed deep condolences for the victims of the accident. In a statement, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of students, stating that children are the nation’s most valuable asset and all parties must fulfill their responsibilities, from strict compliance with traffic regulations to enhancing school bus service management.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific details regarding the cause of the accident and the types of vehicles involved. The Gauteng Province Department of Education mentioned that further information will be released to the public once it is verified.
South Africa has a well-developed road network but frequent traffic accidents are mainly attributed to poor vehicle conditions, reckless driving, and lack of safety awareness. According to the latest data from the South African Department of Transport, the number of road traffic accident fatalities in South Africa reached 11,418 in 2025.