Twelve children were killed in South Africa after a minibus carrying them to school in Johannesburg overturned and caught fire after being hit by another vehicle, the government announced.

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The Gauteng provincial government said in a statement that the bus driver was also killed, while 7 children were taken to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Television footage showed the minibus completely destroyed due to the fire that broke out following the accident in Mirafong, more than 70 kilometers west of the city. The government said in a statement: “A private bus transporting students was involved in a tragic accident in the Kokosi-Wedela area of Mirafong, resulting in the deaths of 12 students and their driver,” adding that 7 other students were transported to a medical facility for treatment.”

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Gauteng Education Minister Matome Chiloane said in the statement: “I am deeply saddened by this tragic accident. The loss of our children is a major blow to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured students.”

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South Africa has one of the most developed road networks on the continent, but it is also among the worst in terms of traffic accidents.