"Collision between school bus and truck in South Africa kills 13 children."

At least 13 children have been killed in a collision between a truck and a school minibus in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Local authorities reported the incident on Monday, January 19. The news comes from the BBC.

According to preliminary reports, 11 schoolchildren died at the scene, and two more died later while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Authorities said the private minibus was transporting students to various primary and high schools in the southwest of Johannesburg at around 7 a.m. on Monday when the accident occurred.

Eyewitnesses reported that the minibus, carrying the children, collided head-on with a truck coming from the opposite direction while attempting to overtake another vehicle.

The incident is under investigation, and the truck driver will be questioned by the police. The Gauteng Emergency Services Department took five injured children to Sebokeng Hospital, and two others were transferred to Kopanang Hospital for advanced treatment. The minibus driver was also injured and hospitalized.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life. He said that national and provincial authorities would provide the necessary psychological and social support to the families of the deceased and the affected schools.