Twelve school children have died after their minibus burst into flames after colliding with another vehicle in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The minibus driver died at the scene, and seven other children were taken to the hospital.
According to television pictures, the minibus was completely destroyed by fire during the early morning collision near Merafong, more than 70 kilometers west of the city.
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"A private scholar transport minibus was involved in a tragic accident in the Kokosi-Wedela area in Merafong, claiming the lives of the 12 learners and their driver," the Gauteng government said in a statement.
It could not immediately provide the ages of the youngsters, but it said the majority were from primary schools, where kids are typically aged six to 13.
"They were burnt beyond recognition. When this happens forensics will have to do their part in terms of identification," Gauteng traffic police department spokesman Sello Maremane told AFP.
Police officers at the scene believe that the minibus was hit from behind by a small pick-up vehicle, causing it to overturn and catch fire.
According to reports, the pick-up driver was also hospitalized. According to accounts, most hospitalized youngsters were released by late afternoon.
"I am profoundly saddened by this tragic event," Gauteng education minister Matome Chiloane said.
South Africa has one of the most developed road networks on the continent, but it also has one of the worst road safety records, partly due to reckless driving and unsafe automobiles.
45 people were killed in South Africa's worst road disaster this year when their bus plummeted off a bridge into a ravine in March on their way to a religious gathering.
The bus headed from adjacent Botswana to Moria, where an Easter pilgrimage and ceremony had drawn over a million people in recent years.
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