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NEW DELHI: A bus crash claimed the lives of nine supporters of South Africa‘s ruling African National Congress (ANC) who were returning home from an electoral rally on Sunday, said police.
The incident occurred near the town of Paulpietersburg in the eastern region of the country where almost 70 individuals were on board the bus when it veered out of control and overturned, according to Road and traffic authorities.
Eight people died at the scene while a ninth was dead later in the hospital and a dozen others were injured, several critically, authorities said.
These victims were part of the large crowd that had gathered at a football stadium in Durban for the ANC’s election manifesto launch on Saturday.
The ANC had organized transportation for many attendees from different parts of the country, a common practice in South African politics. The accident occurred early in the morning when the bus was transporting supporters back to the northeastern province of Mpumalanga.
“It is a true tragedy that there be such a loss of lives after such a memorable day,” the ANC said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Saturday initiated the ANC’s electoral campaign, pledging to address unemployment and resolve the issue of power cuts.
The party, which has been in power for thirty years, is facing challenges in the polls due to public discontent over high unemployment rates and a sluggish economy. National and provincial elections are expected to take place in South Africa on May 29.
(With input from agencies)
The incident occurred near the town of Paulpietersburg in the eastern region of the country where almost 70 individuals were on board the bus when it veered out of control and overturned, according to Road and traffic authorities.
Eight people died at the scene while a ninth was dead later in the hospital and a dozen others were injured, several critically, authorities said.
These victims were part of the large crowd that had gathered at a football stadium in Durban for the ANC’s election manifesto launch on Saturday.
The ANC had organized transportation for many attendees from different parts of the country, a common practice in South African politics. The accident occurred early in the morning when the bus was transporting supporters back to the northeastern province of Mpumalanga.
“It is a true tragedy that there be such a loss of lives after such a memorable day,” the ANC said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Saturday initiated the ANC’s electoral campaign, pledging to address unemployment and resolve the issue of power cuts.
The party, which has been in power for thirty years, is facing challenges in the polls due to public discontent over high unemployment rates and a sluggish economy. National and provincial elections are expected to take place in South Africa on May 29.
(With input from agencies)
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