16 dead, dozens hurt as bus overturns on South Africa highway

A bus lost control and flipped on a highway early on Tuesday near Johannesburg’s international airport, killing 16 as some were thrown from the vehicle, the transport ministry said.

Ministry spokesman Collen Msibi said 12 people died at the scene and four at a hospital. Msibi said reports indicated that 11 passengers were critically injured and 24 had moderate to serious injuries.

“On arrival we found patients lying across the road,” William Ntladi, an emergency management spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni municipality.

The bodies of some of the victims lay on the highway near the bus and were covered with silver blankets. Two bodies were still trapped in the wreckage, Nthladi said. Handbags, a lunch box and a water bottle were visible among the belongings.

“We are lost for words. This is a disaster,” said Andile Mngwevu, a local city councillor who went to the scene. “To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and the city really feels for the families who would have expected to see their loved ones return home later today. Our hearts are extremely heavy right now.”

The early-morning crash happened on a highway near Johannesburg’s main O.R. Tambo International Airport. The bus was lying on its side near the edge of the highway. It had been transporting people from the township or Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, officials said.