Six women have been killed in a horror crash on the R61 just outside Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape.
The crash happened about 30km from Aberdeen when a Toyota Quantum carrying 16 passengers from Beaufort West in the Western Cape towards the Eastern Cape collided with the truck, according to the provincial Transport Department.
All six women died at the scene, while critically injured victims were taken to Graaff-Reinet Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The department said one of the injured was an occupant of a Kia Rio involved in a subsequent collision following the initial crash.
The drivers and occupants of the other vehicles involved in that secondary collision reportedly escaped unharmed.
Fatigue is among the suspected contributing factors, but authorities have yet to establish what caused the deadly collision.
“The exact cause will be established through investigations by the relevant authorities,” the department said in a statement.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Aberdeen police station as investigations continue.
The crash has added to the devastating human toll of serious road collisions.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL News