JOHANNESBURG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed in a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a bus in South Africa's eastern province of Mpumalanga on Thursday morning, the provincial government said.
The crash occurred at around 5:15 a.m. local time (0315 GMT) on the R39 road between Standerton and Morgenzon, the South African Government News Agency reported, citing a statement issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.
All the deceased were occupants of the minibus taxi, including the taxi driver, the department said, adding that reports indicate that there was mist in the area at the time of the crash, which may have reduced visibility.
Eight people died at the scene, while another succumbed on the way to hospital. The other victim died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Standerton.
The bus driver sustained minor injuries, while one passenger on the bus escaped unharmed.
While the cause of the crash is under investigation, reckless and negligent driving cannot be ruled out at this stage, the department said. ■