South Africa has been struck by a second deadly bus crash in as many days after the death toll from a devastating accident on the N1 near Touws River in the Western Cape climbed to 16, raising fresh concerns about road safety during the busy winter travel season.

The latest tragedy unfolded at about 1:30 am on Thursday when a long-distance bus carrying approximately 78 passengers, including children, from Cape Town to Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, overturned on the N1 near Touws River.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), preliminary reports indicate that the bus driver swerved to avoid colliding with a delivery vehicle before losing control of the bus, which overturned.

As rescue and recovery teams combed through the wreckage, the number of confirmed fatalities rose from the initial nine reported earlier in the morning to 16.

Twenty passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious and were transported to Worcester Hospital for treatment. Authorities said 43 other occupants escaped with minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene.

The identities of those killed have not yet been released as authorities work to notify their families.

Emergency medical personnel, traffic officials and police remained at the crash scene for several hours while the victims were extricated and investigators documented evidence.

The RTMC said the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation and will be determined through a joint probe involving its crash investigators and the South African Police Service.

The tragedy comes less than 24 hours after another fatal bus accident claimed the life of a driver in Limpopo, making it the second major bus crash this week.

In that incident, a bus transporting Malawian nationals overturned on the N1 near Mookgophong after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle.

According to preliminary investigations, the bus veered off the road and overturned. The driver sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

Several passengers suffered injuries of varying severity and were treated by emergency services before being transported to nearby hospitals. Authorities did not report any passenger fatalities in that crash.

The RTMC immediately dispatched crash investigators to Limpopo to determine whether speeding, driver fatigue, mechanical failure, road conditions or other contributing factors played a role in the accident.

Investigators are also examining the bus’s roadworthiness and compliance with public transport safety regulations.

The back-to-back crashes have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of road safety measures, particularly for long-distance buses travelling overnight during winter.

The RTMC has repeatedly warned motorists that winter driving presents unique dangers, including dense fog, smoke from veld fires, black ice in some regions and poor visibility, all of which significantly increase the risk of serious crashes.

Long-distance buses are especially vulnerable during overnight journeys when drivers may encounter fatigue, reduced visibility and slippery road conditions.

The corporation urged transport operators to ensure vehicles are mechanically sound before departure and to avoid putting drivers under pressure to meet unrealistic travel schedules.

Motorists have also been reminded to reduce speed in poor weather, maintain safe following distances and remain alert to changing road conditions.

As investigations continue into both crashes, grieving families are awaiting confirmation of the identities of those killed in the Western Cape disaster.

The twin tragedies have once again highlighted the heavy human cost of road crashes in South Africa and the urgent need for greater vigilance by drivers, transport operators and law enforcement agencies to prevent further loss of life on the country’s highways.