An eight-year-old girl is the sole survivor of a horrific bus crash where a vehicle carrying worshippers to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge in South Africa.
The accident killed 45 people after the bus lost control on the Mmamatlakala bridge in the northern province of Limpopo. It fell 164ft into a ravine before bursting in flames. The driver of the vehicle is among those who have tragically lost their lives.
The bus was traveling from Botswana to the town of Moria for an Easter pilgrimage, authorities say.
The eight-year-old is receiving medical attention after sustaining severe injuries, they added.
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Fire crews rushed to the scene and have been working to hose down the fire. Search operations worked until late into the night on Thursday.
Bodies remain trapped inside the wreckage as the destruction of the fire has made it difficult for rescuers to identify them.
Sindisiwe Chikunga, minister of transport, was in the area for a road safety campaign and visited the crash scene.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash, she said, as she offered condolences to the families of the victims.
The Zionist Christian Church has its headquarters in Moria. The Easter pilgrimage, taking place this weekend, sees thousands of people flock from neighboring countries and across South Africa to attend.
This is the first year it is resuming following the Covid-19 pandemic.
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