Tragedy struck southern Africa as 42 people, including seven children, died when their bus plunged down a mountain embankment in South Africa's Limpopo province. The victims were Zimbabwean and Malawian workers heading home, highlighting the dangerous journeys faced by millions of migrant workers across the continent.
Mbombela, South Africa — A passenger bus carrying worshippers to a religious event crashed into a ravine on Sunday, killing at least 42 people on one of South Africa's most dangerous mountain roads.
The tragedy unfolded on the Long Tom Pass outside Mbombela in Mpumalanga province, where the bus lost control in wet conditions and plunged down the steep mountainside.
Emergency teams worked for hours to extract survivors from the wreckage, with some of the estimated 50 passengers suffering critical injuries.
The Long Tom Pass has claimed lives before. This notoriously hazardous stretch of road has seen multiple fatal crashes, making Sunday's accident what Mpumalanga authorities called "one of the deadliest road accidents in recent provincial history."
The crash has reignited familiar concerns about South Africa's road safety crisis. The country records thousands of road deaths annually, with mountainous routes proving particularly deadly during adverse weather conditions.
Local faith organizations and civil society groups have organized tributes while demanding stricter oversight of public transport and dangerous routes.
The tragedy also drew attention from regional bodies, including SADC officials and the African Union's Road Safety Council, who highlighted persistent infrastructure and safety challenges across southern Africa.
Mpumalanga provincial authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation examining the bus's mechanical condition, driver conduct, and safety compliance. The government pledged support for victims' families as road safety advocates prepare to intensify their campaigns.
This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and stricter safety enforcement on South Africa's most treacherous roads. As memorial services are planned and investigations begin, the Long Tom Pass stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of inadequate road safety measures.
ATM on the Horrific Limpopo Bus Accident That Has Killed 42 People & Hospitalized over 30 people. pic.twitter.com/4atUrXHd15
— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) October 13, 2025
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