An extremely heartbreaking and horrific road accident has come to light from Western Cape, the southern coastal province of South Africa, which has shaken the transport safety system of the entire country. At least 21 innocent passengers were tragically killed in a horrific tri-vehicle accident on a major national highway in the Western Cape province late on Sunday night, while more than a dozen people were left seriously injured and battling for life. The tragic accident occurred on the major transportation corridor between the towns of Prince Albert and Lee-Gamka, located about 380 kilometers east of the country's capital Cape Town. The collision was so violent and strong that the vehicles were blown to pieces and there was panic even in remote rural areas after hearing the loud noise. Immediately after the accident, local disaster management, provincial ambulance team, fire department and traffic safety forces reached the spot and started relief and rescue operations. Bloody speed and head-on collision: How this horrific accident happened According to the preliminary investigation report shared by South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Western Cape Mobility Department, the accident started with a high-speed head-on collision between two packed minibus taxis. Due to overtaking or loss of control, both the taxis collided with each other at full speed, and at the same moment, an out-of-control sports utility vehicle (SUV) coming from behind at high speed also rammed directly into the debris of the crashed taxis. There was an outcry on the highway after two minibuses and an SUV collided with each other, leaving many passengers trapped between badly bent metal seats. Paramedics and rescue teams had to pull out the bodies and injured passengers using hydraulic cutters and life-saving cutter machines. Three critically injured people were taken to a nearby regional hospital in a critical condition, but doctors declared them dead after examination, taking the total number of deaths to 21. Minibus Taxi Syndicate in South Africa: Lifeline or Death Trip Minibus taxis in South Africa are considered to be the primary and cheapest form of public transport for millions of working citizens, students and the general public every day, but they have also become the most deadly threat. Due to poor technical maintenance, overloading of vehicles, drivers driving at high speed in long shifts without rest and risky overtaking on national highways, these taxis become victims of fatal accidents on a regular basis. Earlier in the month of January this year, at least 25 people, including 14 school children, had lost their lives in two separate minibus accidents. These frequent fatal accidents have once again raised serious questions on the uncontrolled operation of the private minibus taxi industry in the country and the lack of strict safety standards, which is causing deep anger among the general public. N1 Highway completely sealed: Forensic investigation and safety guidelines ongoing In view of the magnitude of the accident, the administration completely closed the strategic N1 National Highway between Prince Albert and Lee-Gamka from both sides so that forensic experts and mechanical teams could collect evidence from the scene. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has constituted a high-level investigation team which is conducting a thorough scientific investigation into the aspects like brake failure of the vehicles involved in the accident, violation of speed limit, burst tire and physical fatigue of the drivers. Officials have also expressed apprehension that the number of deaths may increase further due to the critical condition of many of the injured admitted in hospitals. The government has appealed to all drivers traveling on national highways to strictly follow speed limits and take special care during long distance journeys at night.
