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EFF expresses condolences for 12 supporters lost in tragic bus crash

EFF expresses condolences for 12 supporters lost in tragic bus crash

IOL News8 hours ago

Twelve EFF supporers were killed in a bus crash in Vryheid
Image: KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has shared messages of condolences following the deaths of 12 people killed in a horror crash on the R34 highway in Vryheid, in KwaZulu-Natal, early on Tuesday morning.
The members were on their way home after spending Youth Day at uMlazi, in the Durban south area.
Craig Botha of KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service said a multi-service emergency response team worked to stabilise all patients before transport to nearby medical facilities for further treatment.
"Nine occupants were declared dead at the scene, having sustained fatal injuries before emergency services arrived. Three critically injured patients later died at hospital despite intensive efforts by paramedics and medical staff," Botha said.
Scenes from the bus crash
Image: Supplied
KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said he is awaiting an updated report from the Road Traffic Inspectorate as well as the South African Police Service.
"We have been informed that dismembered body parts of some victims are still missing. In view of this, the number of fatalities will either decrease or increase. In addition, some victims were taken to local hospitals and we are making all efforts to reach out to family members," Duma said.
The bus has been taken to the Vryheid Road Traffic Inspectorate offices. The truck is still at the scene of the accident, and plans are underway to remove it.

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Video: Forensic review of dismembered remains confirms 10 died in Vryheid crash
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Confirmed: 10 fatalities in tragic R34 bus accident
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EFF sends condolences to families of R34 bus crash victims
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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has sent condolences to the families of its 10 members who passed away in an accident on the R34 near Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal. The members died following a head-on collision between their bus and a truck on their way home coming from the party's Youth Day rally in Umlazi, south of Durban on Monday. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements has also revised the death toll from 12 to 10. As previously reported, KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements and Transport spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said that based on the report from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), after the head-on collision, the truck struck the side of the bus. Sadly, a total of 10 passengers died and were taken to Vryheid mortuary, while ten passengers were seriously injured and were transported to various local hospitals. Moreover, 33 passengers were slightly injured while three suffered moderate injuries, and two victims are in a critical condition. Notably, the truck and bus drivers survived and were also taken to hospital. In a statement, the EFF said the 12 fighters must be remembered as heroes as they lost their lives following a show of support for the revolution they belonged to. 'These were committed fighters who had attended the rally to honour the courage of the youth of 1976 and to continue the struggle for economic freedom. They died in the line of duty, and their lives will never be forgotten. 'The process of identifying the deceased is ongoing and we are working with relevant authorities to ensure families are informed and supported,' the party said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

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