LIMPOPO – At least five people have died and more than 30 were hospitalised after a bus plunged into a ditch on the N1 outside Louis Trichardt earlier today.

According to confirmed information, the bus veered off the road and down an embankment. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Emergency services personnel were on the scene, conducting rescue and recovery operations. The bus remained in the ditch for some time, making it difficult to immediately determine the exact number of passengers on board.

Injured passengers were transported to several hospitals across Vhembe, including Louis Trichardt, Elim and Siloam.

The bus was travelling from Gauteng to Musina, where passengers were expected to board another bus to Zimbabwe. It has not yet been confirmed whether all those on board were en route to Zimbabwe.

This stretch of the N1 north has been the scene of several serious incidents in recent years, including a collision last year in which 42 passengers travelling to Zimbabwe and Malawi lost their lives.

Earlier today, the road was closed to traffic in the early hours following the crash. Motorists were advised to use the alternative route via the R523 through Nzhelele until further notice.

Violet Mathye, the MEC for Transport, visited the scene and said speeding has been cited as a possible cause. She expressed concern over the loss of life and urged motorists, particularly public transport operators, to drive responsibly and reduce speed. A detailed report will be released once investigations are complete.

Mathye extended her condolences to the families of the deceased.