12 students killed in school minibus crash in South Africa

January 19, 2026 / 2:37 PM

Sharjah24-AFP: At least 12 school pupils were killed on Monday when a minibus carrying students collided with a truck south of Johannesburg, police said. The crash occurred near the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark, around 60 kilometres south of the country’s economic hub.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the minibus driver lost control while attempting to overtake other vehicles. Eleven pupils died at the scene, and another later succumbed to injuries in hospital, according to Gauteng’s education authorities.

Children from primary and secondary schools

Provincial Education Minister Matome Chiloane said the victims included pupils from both primary and secondary schools, though their exact ages were not immediately confirmed. Disturbing scenes unfolded at the crash site, with parents gathering nearby and some collapsing in grief when allowed to identify the victims.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the scene as “terrible” as emergency services worked to secure the area and investigate the cause of the collision.

Ongoing road safety crisis

South Africa continues to face severe road safety challenges, with more than 11,400 deaths recorded on the country’s roads in 2025, according to official transport data. Many families rely on private minibuses to transport children to school, despite ongoing concerns about vehicle safety and driving standards.