A devastating collision on the N9 near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape has claimed 14 lives and left numerous others injured.
The tragic accident involved a head-on collision between a Mazda CX5 SUV and a fully loaded minibus taxi. According to reports, the SUV, traveling from Middelburg to Graaff-Reinet, carried six family members, all of whom perished at the scene. Seven occupants of the minibus taxi, which was en route to Middelburg, also died at the scene.
The death toll rose to 14 when a passenger from the taxi succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Eleven other taxi passengers were injured and transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Unathi Binqose, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, confirmed the details of the crash, stating: “A Mazda CX5 — with six occupants — and a fully loaded minibus taxi from the Western Cape heading to the Eastern Cape collided head-on.
All six occupants of the SUV died on the scene, along with eight occupants from the minibus taxi.”
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision as the community mourns the heavy loss of life.
