Archive · 19 Jan 2026
13 children killed in South Africa bus crash
On January 19, 2024, a minibus carrying schoolchildren in South Africa collided with a truck.
Sadly, 13 children died, and 7 others were hurt and taken to the hospital.
This accident happened in a city called Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg.
The minibus was taking children to different schools when it crashed into the truck.
The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said that children are very important and we need to follow road rules to keep them safe.
The country has many road accidents, and the government is trying to make the roads safer.
Last year, there were over 11,000 road deaths, which is a little less than the year before.
The minister of basic education said that many accidents are caused by driver mistakes and that school transport vehicles should be checked to make sure they are safe.
At least 13 schoolchildren were killed in a minibus crash in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
Seven other pupils sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.
The accident involved a minibus colliding with a truck while overtaking stationary vehicles.
South Africa has a high rate of road deaths, with over 11,000 recorded in 2023.
The government is considering measures to improve road safety, including investigating driver error and vehicle roadworthiness.
- Who
- Schoolchildren, emergency services, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister Siviwe Gwarube
- What
- A minibus collided with a truck, killing 13 schoolchildren and injuring 7 others
- When
- January 19, 2024, around 7 am
- Where
- Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa
- Why
- The minibus was overtaking stationary vehicles when it hit the truck in a head-on collision
- Location
- Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa
- Date
- January 19, 2024
- Victims
- 13 schoolchildren killed, 7 injured
- Cause
- Minibus collision with a truck
- Road Deaths (2023)
- 11,418
- Road Deaths (2024)
- About 6% lower than 2023
- Time of Accident
- 7 am
- Hospitals
- Sebokeng Hospital, Kopanong Hospital
