Govt Confirms 22 Citizens Were on Board Bus in Fatal Limpopo Crash

Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 22 Malawian nationals were aboard the bus involved in a tragic road accident on Sunday night in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, which claimed over 40 lives.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the Ministry reported that 14 Malawians have been identified and accounted for, while eight remain unaccounted for. Of the 14, six were treated as outpatients, and eight are currently receiving medical care in hospital.

The crash occurred along a mountainous stretch of the N1 Highway, where a bus traveling from South Africa to Malawi via Zimbabwe veered off the road. The bus was carrying more than 90 passengers, mainly Malawian and Zimbabwean nationals.

While the BBC initially reported 42 fatalities, the Ministry’s statement indicated that 43 people lost their lives in the incident. However, it remains unclear whether any Malawians were among the deceased. South African authorities are still conducting forensic identification of the victims.

An official at the Malawi Consulate in South Africa told Zodiak Online that the identification process has been challenging, as several passengers lacked proper identification documents such as passports or national IDs.

The Ministry stated that it continues to coordinate with South African authorities to assist affected families and ensure the safe return of the injured.