Scholar transport swept away by floodwaters in Mthatha, 3 pupils rescued

JOHANNESBURG - A 22-seater scholar transport bus in the Eastern Cape has been swept away after a bridge collapsed during heavy floods on Tuesday.

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) confirmed that the bus belongs to one of its members.

Preliminary information suggests the scholar bus was heading to Jumba Senior Secondary School when it was swept away by rising floodwaters at Efata Bridge in Mthatha.

According to SANTACO, the driver notified the vehicle owner early on Tuesday, asking for help after the bus got stuck in the rising water.

But by the time rescue teams arrived, the bridge had collapsed and the bus was nowhere to be found.

SANTACO spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Phala, “At this stage, the exact number of learners on board cannot be confirmed, as it is currently examination season and learners attend school according to varying timetables.”

Phala added that eyewitnesses on the scene reported seeing at least three learners clinging to trees, desperately calling for help.

Three children have since been rescued, but emergency services continue to search for others. In a separate tragedy, five people lost their lives in a minibus taxi crash on the N2 near Cintsa, just outside East London.

While on Monday, dozens of motorists were left stranded on the N10 overnight after two trucks collided, causing the highway to be gridlocked for hours.

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