Limpopo bus crash: Multi-disciplinary team prioritises victim identification, repatriation of Botswana citizens

JOHANNESBURG - A multi-disciplinary team including Interpol and the Department of International Relations is probing the deaths of at least 45 people, following a deadly bus accident in Limpopo.

The cross-border team spearheaded by the South African and Botswana governments was established on Friday, following the crash on the R518 near Mokopane on Thursday evening.

The team is set to investigate issues including the state of the bus, identifying the victims of the crash and repatriating their bodies back to Botswana.

On Friday, Botswana High Commissioner to South Africa Sanji Monageng and Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba revealed the collaboration and provided an update on the progress.

Monageng told the briefing that Botswana police and the South African Police Service are already working together to get to the bottom of the disaster.

She added that the government is already in touch with the families of the identified victims and has offered psychological support to them.

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Monageng said experts are yet to reveal the roadworthiness of the bus involved in the deadly crash.

The bus departed from the country's capital Gaborone on Thursday evening and was headed towards Moria for Easter celebrations. 

However, the journey was cut short when the bus crashed into a barrier and caught fire.

According to authorities, 34 bodies have been identified, with one survivor recovering in hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

Outcomes of the investigations will be shared publicly later, along with an official figure of the victims.

One survivor - an eight-year-old girl - survived the freak accident and is recovering in hospital.

Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has since praised the hospital staff for assisting her.