One lane has been opened to traffic on the N8 between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo following an accident involving a truck and an interstate bus that left ten people dead.
According to traffic authorities, both vehicles were traveling in the same direction when the accident occurred.
However, authorities are still investigating the cause of an accident involving a truck Interstate bus.
Ten people have died and seven are in critical condition after an accident involving an interstate bus and a truck between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in the Free State.https://t.co/4Fj03vCOhv pic.twitter.com/2DrZ4iH1oY
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 15, 2025
More than 41 people have been transported to various hospitals for medical treatment. The injured were transported to hospitals in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo for medical care.
MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, says the cause of the crash still under investigation.
“It is truly a terrible moment for those families and the communities, including the people of the Free State, in South Africa. Accidents of this nature are something that we do not need at all. You can see that some of these people were going to work or doing weekend activities because it happened around 6:15 am. We want to send a message to all our route users and drivers to obey the traffic rules,” said Mbalula.
Modise Liphoko of the Free State Emergency Medical Services said both the bus and truck drivers survived the crash.
“The provincial team that works with accident investigations and actually does their final investigation as they take pictures and ensure the migration of debris or part of the accident for further investigation. Once they are done, the towing services will take over to ensure that both the truck and the bus are removed from the road. Once that is done, there will be a recovery and cleaning of the debris that is on the road to ensure that there is nothing left on the road so that we can get the road open,” he added. Liphoko.
Free State Prime Minister Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has sent a condolence message to the affected families.
The Prime Minister also urged motorists to be careful on the roads as the festive season approaches.
“It’s really emotional training, it’s painful. It’s sad that every time I have to appear on TV, it’s about burying people. It really affects me a lot, that is, every week, instead of going to people, providing services to people, dealing with people, but dealing with funerals that don’t just come from nature. It’s emotionally taxing,” says Letsoha-Mathae.
Authorities have further warned motorists to take extra precautions amid rainy conditions.
Makgala Masiteng
www.sabcnews.com