THE number of people killed in the Gauteng bus crash has risen to 16.

The accident took place on the R21 near the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning at around 6.30 am.

According to Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) the crash involved a MAN passenger bus owned by the City of Ekurhuleni and a light motor vehicle.

Spokesperson Simon Zwane said preliminary reports suggest that both vehicles were travelling in the third lane (from the right) of the R21.

"It is alleged that the LMV suddenly applied brakes after missing the offramp exit lane.

"In an attempt to avoid a collision, the bus driver also braked and swerved, resulting in the bus losing control, rotating clockwise, overturning, and coming to rest in the offramp lane, facing south."

The crash claimed sixteen lives.

"Twelve people died at the scene and four died in hospital."

Zwane said the number of injured persons is still being confirmed, with reports currently indicating 11 people sustained critical injuries.

"An additional 24 individuals with serious to moderate injuries."

Zwane said as the investigation remains ongoing, details may be subject to change as more verified information becomes available.

"The RTMC Crash Investigator is still on-site, and the exact cause of the accident is under active investigation."

Ekurhuleni Roads and Transport MMC Andile Mngwevu has rejected claims that the bus involved in an accident was overloaded.

Mngwevu addressed the media at the scene of the accident and said: “No, it's not true, because if you make your calculations, 45 rushed to hospital plus 12, you will get something like 57.”

“Our bus has a capacity of 65 seats and 20 standing. So, they were still within the number that is prescribed,” Mngwevu said.

The bus, which is owned by the City of Ekurhuleni, was en route from Katlehong to Kempton Park when it overturned.

When asked about the bus driver’s condition, he confirmed that the driver had also been rushed to the hospital.

“We will send our officials to go and get a sense of his condition and we'll be able to give feedback once we've also got an indication of what happened from him,” Mngwevu said.

He emphasised that the bus is regularly inspected and roadworthy.

”Our drivers are credible, and we conduct a continuous inspection to make sure that our buses are fit for purpose. This is an unfortunate incident, and we are shocked by it.”

He also noted that the metro had not experienced any serious bus-related accidents for some time.

“Since I became an MMC, towards the second year now in the city, we've never been involved in any accident that involves buses and our passengers,” Mngwevu said.

The metro has started the process of tracing the victims' families.

“The authorities will be conducting their search to get a sense of who these deceased are, so that they can be able to trace their families. Once they've concluded that particular point, they will also advise us on the way forward on what should happen,” Mngwevu added.

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Death toll in Gauteng bus crash rises to 16