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One lane has been opened following a tragic accident on the N8 where 41 were injured and 10 killed
One lane has been opened for traffic flow on the N8 between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo following an accident involving a truck and an Interstate bus that claimed 10 lives.
Traffic authorities say both vehicles were travelling in the same direction when the accident occurred.
However, authorities are still investigating the cause of a crash involving a truck and Interstate bus.
Ten people have died and seven are in a critical condition following a crash involving an Interstate bus and a truck between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in the Free State. pic.twitter.com/2DrZ4iH1oY
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 15, 2025
More than 41 people have been transported to various hospitals for medical treatment. The injured have been transported to hospitals in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo for medical care.
MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula says the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
“It’s really a terrible moment for those families and the communities, including the people of the Free State, in South Africa. Accidents of this nature are something that we do not need at all. You can see that some of these people were either going to work or weekend activities because it happened at about 06h15. We want to convey a message to all our route users and drivers to obey the rules of the road,” says Mbalula.
Free State Emergency Medical Services’ Modise Liphoko says both the drivers of the bus and the truck survived the crash.
“The provincial team that works with accident crash investigations that are actually doing their final investigation as they’re taking photos and ensuring the migration of debris or part of the accident for further investigations. As soon as they are done, the towing services will then take over to ensure that they are, both the truck and the bus removed from the road. Once that has happened there will be salvaging and cleaning of the debris that is on the road to ensure that there is nothing that is left on the road so that we can get the road open,” adds Liphoko.
Free State Premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has sent a message of condolences to affected families.
The premier also appealed to motorists to be cautious on the roads as the festive season draws near.
“It’s really emotional training, it’s painful. It’s sad that every time I have to appear on TV, it’s about burying people. It is really affecting me a lot, meaning every week, instead of going to people, giving people services, interacting with people, but dealing with funerals that are not just of nature. It’s emotionally strenuous,” says Letsoha-Mathae.
Authorities have further cautioned motorists to take extra precautions amidst rainy conditions.
