Fifteen killed, five seriously injured in Eastern Cape crash
Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the Toyota Quantum minibus taxi was travelling from Qonce to Cape Town when it collided with the Isuzu Double Cab bakkie.
'The driver of the Double Cab and 13 passengers in the Quantum, including the driver, were declared dead at the scene,' Binqose said.
Six people were rushed to hospital, where one later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to 15. Five others sustained serious injuries.
An inquest docket has been opened.
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