In a devastating incident, a head-on collision between a truck and a bus transporting mine workers in northern South Africa’s Limpopo province has resulted in the loss of 20 lives, according to authorities.

The tragic accident occurred on Sunday, leaving 17 of the deceased as employees of the construction company Murray & Roberts Cementation. These workers were on their way to the Venetia mine in Musina, located near the Zimbabwean border. Four other individuals sustained injuries during the collision.

Murray & Roberts Cementation has pledged to provide support to the families of the victims, but the identities of the other three victims remain unknown at this time.

The workers were en route to participate in an underground project at the Venetia mine, one of the largest diamond mines in South Africa and owned by the mining giant De Beers. The mine plays a significant role in the country’s annual diamond production, accounting for over 40% of it and employing over 4,300 staff, including numerous local workers.

Despite having one of the most developed road networks on the African continent, South Africa also grapples with one of the worst road safety records. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of this tragic accident, with traffic officials still at the scene.

Florence Radzilani, the Provincial Transport Minister, visited the crash site and expressed concern about the state of some trucks traveling on these roads. She emphasized the importance of ensuring vehicles are roadworthy to prevent endangering the lives of innocent people.

Radzilani highlighted a common issue where some truck drivers avoid routes with known traffic enforcement presence due to their vehicles being unroadworthy or the drivers lacking valid permits. Investigations into the accident are ongoing, and allegations have emerged regarding the truck driver’s lack of a license and the truck’s unroadworthy condition.