A horrific bus crash near Cradock in the Eastern Cape on Saturday has left 18 people dead and 27 injured.

Two buses collided on the R61 between Cradock and Graaff-Reinet. It still unclear what caused the accident and whether it was a head on collision or a side swipe. A team of specialists has been called in to the scene to investigate the cause of the accident.

One of the buses was transporting school children to a sports event in Graaff-Reneit and the other was carrying passengers from Cape Town to Mthatha. Of the 18 people killed, 3 were school children.

Deputy Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said: “We are terribly shocked and saddened at the news of this horrific incident. The loss of such innocent lives on our roads is completely unnecessary.”

“We wish to convey our sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved and wish those injured a speedy recovery.”

“In just the past three weeks, more than 50 people have died on South Africa’s roads as a result of tragic crashes,”Chikunga said.