South Africa bus crash: At least 45 dead as vehicle plunges from bridge & erupts into flames with child ‘sole survivor’

AT LEAST 45 people have died in a horrific bus crash in South Africa.

The bus was sent plunging 165ft down a rocky surface before erupting into flames with only one person surviving the terrifying ordeal - an eight-year-old girl.

In a statement, the transport ministry said the driver lost control and smashed through the barriers on a bridge near Mamatlakala in the northeast province of Limpopo, South Africa.

Shocking pictures show the mangled bus smoking on the ground after the fatal fall.

Firefighters can be seen extinguishing the burnt out metal.

The passenger bus was believed to have been transporting people from Botswana for an Easter weekend church service.

It was also carrying a second smaller vehicle behind it at the time of the crash.

Shocking reports say some of the recovered bodies were burned to such a devastating effect that the victims couldn't be identified.

Many others were found trapped inside the battered carcass of the bus.

The sole surviving child is seriously injured and is being treated in hospital after being airlifted from the scene, reports .

We want really to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families but also to the government of Botswana and to the people of Botswana

Sindisiwe ChikungaTransport Minister

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said: “We want really to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families but also to the government of Botswana and to the people of Botswana.

"As South Africa we will try everything to assist so that they go back to their country and families to be buried with dignity.”

The South African government has launched a full inquiry into the cause of the tragic crash.

They also urged people travelling over Easter to take extra care due to roads being busier than usual.

Limpopo has suffered three major bus crashes in the last 14 months with over 85 tragic deaths.

In February last year, 20 people were killed and another 68 injured when a tour bus collided with a van head on.

The bus rolled off the motorway and over a bridge into a river trapping many of the victims inside.

As another 20 people, believed to be South African diamond mine workers, died in a third terrifying bus crash in September 2023.

Employees of diamond giant De Beers were travelling from a major mine when their bus smashed into a truck near Musia, Limpopo.

It comes as four people died this week after a FlixBus coach veered off a German motorway.

At least 35 passengers were also injured in the horror crash near the eastern city of Leipzig.

Photos showed the bus on its side, having seemingly ploughed into trees on the side of the road.