Thirteen school pupils have died in South Africa after the minibus they were travelling in collided with a lorry south of the city of Johannesburg.
The crash happened on Monday morning at around 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) in Vanderbijlpark, according to the local education authority.
Eleven students died at the scene, while two succumbed to their injuries later on. Two other pupils remain in critical condition.
The minibus driver crashed into the lorry after attempting to overtake two vehicles, said police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.
Masondo added that a case of culpable homicide would be opened against the driver, who is reportedly receiving treatment in hospital. The condition of the lorry driver is currently uncertain.
Fatal road collisions are common in South Africa, attributed to factors such as speeding, reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles. In 2025 alone, 11,418 people died in crashes, averaging about 31 fatalities per day.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the incident as distressing and emphasized the importance of protecting children, the nation's most precious assets, by observing road safety rules and ensuring quality transport services for learners.
