JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 1 — Seven people, including a two-year-old child, lost their lives in a tragic head-on collision between two sedans in South Africa’s northeastern province of Mpumalanga on Tuesday, local authorities confirmed.
According to a statement issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security, and Liaison, the accident happened around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday local time on the N4 Toll Road between Belfast and Wonderfontein in the province.
Five of the deceased were occupants of one sedan, while the other two victims were in the second vehicle. Both drivers are among the fatalities, the statement read, adding that one seriously injured passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Earlier indications are that one of the sedans seemingly lost control veered off the road, and collided with the other sedan that was travelling in the opposite direction,” said the department. “The investigation into the crash is already underway; however, reckless and negligent driving cannot be ruled out at this stage.”
In the statement, Jackie Macie, Mpumalanga member of the executive council for community safety, security, and liaison, extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery. (Xinhua)


