7 killed in two minibus taxi accidents on EC roads within 24 hours

CAPE TOWN - Five people have died after a driver of a minibus taxi lost control of the vehicle on the N2 in East London.

Confirmation of the horror crash came from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport on Sunday.

The five taxi occupants, including a minor, died on scene when the Toyota Quantum overturned carrying 18 passengers at Brakfontein, said the department.

It's understood that the vehicle was travelling to Butterworth.

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Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the survivors, including the driver, were rushed to Frere Hospital for medical treatment. 

The road accident takes the provincial road death toll to seven, in a space of 24 hours after another two road-related deaths were reported in Mthatha's Ndisane location.

"Yes, we can confirm that indeed seven people have died from two separate incidents that happened in the Eastern Cape yesterday [Saturday]," said Binqose. 

"Both accidents involve minibus taxis, and we are asking road users to be extra vigilant at all times and help us avoid avoidable incidents like the ones we have witnessed over the past couple of hours."