At least 21 killed in Eastern Cape bus accident
The death toll in the Eastern Cape bus accident has now risen to 21.
Officials say the bus had been travelling between Butterworth and Centane earlier when it careened off a gravel road and plunged some 200 metres into a gorge.
It had been carrying 79 people.
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Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo says the driver was among those killed. Some of the victms were ejected from the vehicle.
He says around 20 injured passengers have been rushed to hospital. Kupelo says among them was a three-year-old who suffered serious injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Emergency services on the scene have asked the SANDF for help in reaching the wreckage.
"We are struggling to get to the wreckage. Our helicopter cannot land. Now our emergency teams are also talking to the army to get more assistance. We are also getting the South African Police Search and Rescue team."
Kupelo says the bus had been transporting mostly elderly people who were on their way to Butterworth to collect their social grants.
