Latest news with #NqobileBiyela
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
South Africa investigates fatal air crash
Investigators are piecing together what happened in the moments before a Piper Cherokee crashed in KwaZulu-Natal, claiming the lives two pilots and a medical student on board. The deceased have been identified as 23-year-old student pilots Nqobile Biyela and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, along with 20-year-old medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi. IOL reported that the small aircraft departed from the Virginia Airport in Durban, at the weekend. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma, confirmed that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a formal investigation. 'A report from the Accident and Incident Investigation Division is expected within 30 days,' he said. Duma added that the grief experienced by the families, friends, and peers of the victims was unbearable and urged the public to continue offering support and compassion to the bereaved families. 'We are fully aware that post-mortem examinations of the victims by trained pathologists will be critical in terms of highlighting causative factors, crash injuries, and survival factors,' Duma said. He said his department is in touch with the families of the deceased. 'It is sad that, during Youth Month, we lose the lives of dedicated and intelligent young people who were destined to take the aviation and healthcare industries to the next level,' he said. First published by IOL
IOL News
2 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Investigators probe final moments before fatal Piper Cherokee wreck
Nqobile Biyela, Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane and Siphesihle Buthelezi died in a plane crash in KZN. Image: Supplied/Se-Anne Rall/IOL Investigators are piecing together what happened in the moments before a Piper Cherokee crashed in KwaZulu-Natal, claiming the lives two pilots and a medical student on board. The deceased have been identified as 23-year-old student pilots Nqobile Biyela and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, along with 20-year-old medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi. IOL reported that the small aircraft departed from the Virginia Airport in Durban, at the weekend. Nqobile Biyela Image: Supplied Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane Image: Supplied Siphesihle Buthelezi Image: Supplied MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma, confirmed that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a formal investigation. "A report from the Accident and Incident Investigation Division is expected within 30 days," he said. Duma added that the grief experienced by the families, friends, and peers of the victims was unbearable and urged the public to continue offering support and compassion to the bereaved families. "We are fully aware that post-mortem examinations of the victims by trained pathologists will be critical in terms of highlighting causative factors, crash injuries, and survival factors," Duma said. He said his department is in touch with the families of the deceased. "It is sad that, during Youth Month, we lose the lives of dedicated and intelligent young people who were destined to take the aviation and healthcare industries to the next level," he said. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Investigation launched after three young lives lost in KwaZulu-Natal aircraft tragedy
A light aircraft that vanished on Sunday over KwaZulu-Natal skies was found on Monday with all three passengers confirmed dead. The Piper Cherokee, which departed from Virginia Airport around 3pm, was operated by a student pilot. The young victims of the tragic incident have been identified as 23-year-old student pilots Nqobile Biyela and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, along with 20-year-old medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi. "We wish to inform the people of KwaZulu-Natal that we are in touch with the families of the two pilot students and a medical student who died tragically following the crash of their light aircraft," said KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma. "It is sad that, during Youth Month, we lose the lives of dedicated and intelligent young people who were destined to take the aviation and healthcare industries to the next level."
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
KZN plane crash exposes dangers of AI deepfake images in news reports
The shocking use of an AI-generated deepfake image by several online news sites needs to attract far more attention than it has. Ladysmith Gazette reports that three people died in a plane crash on Sunday. In the clamour to break the news and use a hard-hitting image, several news sites grabbed an image that was circulating online. Many even added their own photo credit logos to the image, making it appear more legitimate. The problem with the image was that it could easily have been identified as fake, even at a glance. Consider the following: The crash took place in a forest, yet there are no trees in the image. One of the accident scene workers has three legs. The plane is the wrong colour, and the registration code is white instead of black. What is truly baffling is that someone went to extraordinary lengths to fake the image. This was not merely the incorrect use of a photo — the plane's actual registration code was even used in the AI-generated image. Some of the online sites that used the image are household names. What are deepfake images? 'Deepfake' usually refers to highly realistic but fake images, videos or audio, often generated using AI tools. Deepfakes have existed long before generative AI tools became popular, with software like Photoshop historically used for manipulation. Tips for identifying AI-generated images: Look for missing or extra hands or feet. Look at faces — they are often distorted. Look for misspelt or foreign-looking text in the image. Look for inconsistent reflections, colours or shadows. Tributes pour in for pilot killed in crash The Witness reports that tributes are pouring in for Nqobile Biyela, the young female pilot who died in the crash. Biyela (22), along with two other pilots — all from Eagle Air Flight School — left Virginia Airport in Durban for their base in Pretoria. They attempted a refuelling stop at Ladysmith airstrip but were unable to refuel there. The group was diverted to the nearby Greytown airstrip, but disaster struck en route. Their light aircraft crashed in a eucalyptus plantation owned by Sappi at Sevenoaks, just outside Mooi River. The wreckage was discovered by a plantation worker on Monday morning. Three aircraft from the same aviation school were involved in the trip between Pretoria and Durban. One crash-landed in sugarcane fields near Greytown, with both pilots sustaining minor injuries, while the third landed safely. Eagle Air Flight School general manager Matthew, who declined to give his surname, confirmed that all those on board were qualified pilots. He said the matter is now in the hands of the police and declined to comment further. Condolences shared online Those who knew Biyela took to social media to share heartfelt messages of condolence with her family. Mndeni Mlaba wrote: 'There is no pain greater than burying your child, and it must be excruciating when the child has grown this far. Condolences to the family, and may God be with you during this time of mourning.' Sandile Nota said: 'The death of such a young person with such a skill is very painful. Condolences to the family and friends.' 'Such a young and beautiful girl… may God heal her mother and all family members and friends of the three families. May their souls rest in peace,' wrote Dephefost Motau. The KZN Department of Transport had yet to identify the other two deceased at the time of publishing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
