LIMPOPO – Seventeen people are confirmed dead following a fatal head-on collision along the N1 south on Tuesday evening.

The incident between a 22-seater bus and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) happened near the Mookgophong off-ramp just after 17:00.

In an earlier statement the Department of Transport and Community Safety stated that the vehicles collided after the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle due to a tyre burst.

After the impact the bus caught fire and 16 occupants, not 11 as previously stated, were trapped in the wreckage and burnt to death.

According Mike Maringa, the media liaison officer for the department, the fatalities include 16 people who were travelling in the bus and the driver of the SUV. The driver of the bus was among the fatalities, he said.

“Eight people were injured, six sustained serious injuries while two escaped with minor injuries.”

Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya urged motorists to inspect their vehicles before embarking on a road trip. “It is concerning that most of the fatal accidents reported along the N1 have a common cause.”

Lerule-Ramakhanya sent messages of condolence to families who lost loved ones in the incident and wished a speedy recovery to the survivors.