A head-on collision between a taxi and a bus claimed the lives of 10 people this morning on the R39 road between Standerton and Morgenzon.

The road is currently still closed.

Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison for Mpumalanga, said reckless and negligent driving is not ruled out and an investigation is already underway.

Eight people died at the accident scene and the ninth person died on the way to the hospital. The 10th person died in hospital. All 10 deceased were occupants of the minibus taxi, including the driver.

The bus driver and a passenger escaped the accident with slight injuries.

• The story has been amended to reflect the correct number of people who died in the accident.