THIRTY* people have died in the bus crash on the N2 between East London and Butterworth on Monday afternoon.
The chief director of clinical support services for the health department, Kidwell Matshotyana, told News24 the death toll had risen as emergency services worked at the scene.
At least 24 people were injured but op-ted not to be admitted to hospital.
Another nine people were admitted to hospitals for treatment.
Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said a large number of search and rescue personnel, traffic officers, firefighters and paramedics were on the scene.
The accident took place on the notorious section of the N2, known as the Kei Cuttings, south of the Kei River, which is known for its perilous twists and turns.
Binqose said the driver of the bus was among the dead.
The driver is believed to have lost control of the long-distance passenger bus before it plunged the 200m down a steep embankment.
“He lost control just before he could cross the river on the last curve,” said Binqose.
The patients, who were admitted, were taken to Frere Hospital and Life St Dominic’s Private Hospital, both in East London.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula offered his condolences after learning of the tragedy.
“The loss of life is tragic and brings untold suffering to families who have lost breadwinners and loved ones,” he said. “I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and their loved ones.”
The Road Traffic Management Corporation Corporation sent a team of road crash reconstruction experts to the scene to help with the investigation into the cause of the crash.
The bus is understood to have been transporting passengers from Cape Town.
Comment was not immediately available from the bus company.
A distraught person who answered the phone said managers were in a meeting.
Hospitals and emergency services in the area and further afield were offering help with triaging patients.
Mbalula said the police had the grim task of going through the luggage to find IDs to begin informing the next of kin of the tragedy.
The department would also work with the bus company to establish a contact centre for worried families checking up on people who were on the bus, and those details would be announced later.
- The Road Traffic Management Corporation confirmed the bus was transporting 52 passengers. The passengers who passed away include 22 females and eight males.
The co-driver did not sustain any injuries.
* The number of deaths at the time of going to print on Tuesday afternoon.
