29 killed in bus crash in S Africa

JOHANNESBURG - A head-on collision between a bus and a truck killed at least 29 people and injured dozens of others in South Africa on Monday night, local media reported Tuesday morning.

The truck driver attempted to avoid a stationary bus on Route Moloto in the eastern province of Mpumalanga, and collided with an oncoming bus from Pretoria, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Kwaggafontein, where the accident took place, is about 100 km east of Pretoria.

Among the killed, 26 died at the scene and another three succumbed to their injuries in hospital, the report said.

Local safety department officials said 11 of the injured were in critical condition and receiving treatment.

Route Moloto is notorious for deadly collisions. More than 600 buses carry about 50,000 people from Mpumalanga to work in Pretoria every day along the narrow and potholed road.

Road accidents have become one of the biggest killers in South Africa in recent years. In June 2012, a bus with 70 passengers plummeted off a bridge in the eastern province of Gauteng, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens more.