Nine killed as workers' minibus overturns on R502 near Orkney, South Africa

Nine people have died in a serious road crash on the R502 near Orkney in South Africa's North West province on Friday, November 13. A gold Volkswagen Combi carrying employees of the Nexgen Solar Plant overturned near Shaft 10, according to the provincial Department of Community Safety and Transport Management. The workers were travelling to the Alabama and Jouberton townships in Klerksdorp.

Preliminary reports said the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Six passengers were declared dead at the scene and several others were taken to hospital, where three more later died of their injuries, bringing the death toll to nine.

Provincial MEC offers condolences; cause under investigation

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Virginia Tlhapi expressed her deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims. The authorities have not released the names of the dead or the exact number of injured, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

(File photo: a road in South Africa. Image: OffiDocs)