CAPE TOWN, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed and 21 others injured in two separate road accidents within 12 hours on Monday in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, authorities said.
According to statements issued by the Eastern Cape Transport Department, in the first incident, seven people died following a collision between a minibus taxi and a bus at around 6 a.m. on Monday in Kariega, an industrial town in the province.
The crash occurred when a fully loaded minibus taxi transporting workers from KwaNobuhle allegedly made a U-turn in front of an oncoming bus. "The bus subsequently collided with the passenger side of the taxi," the department said.
"A total of 18 people were attended to on the scene. Two sustained serious injuries, while others suffered varying degrees of injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment," it added. "Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the crash."
The second crash occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. the same day on the N10 highway between Middelburg and Nxuba in the Chris Hani District.
"Five people have lost their lives, while three others sustained injuries after a single vehicle lost control and overturned," the department said.
The vehicle was carrying eight occupants, including the driver. Preliminary reports indicated the vehicle was overloaded and the driver, who was among the deceased, allegedly lost control of it, leading to the crash.
The injured passengers were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment, the department said, adding that the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
"We are calling on motorists to prioritize safety, adhere to capacity limits and avoid reckless behavior. Law enforcement visibility will be intensified as we work toward preventing further lives lost on our roads," it said. ■
