Fifteen Dead In Eastern Cape Taxi Crash On R63

A head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a bakkie on the R63 between Adelaide and Maqoma in the Eastern Cape has claimed 15 lives, Cape town Etc reports.

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday.

A white Toyota Quantum minibus travelling from Qonce formerly King William's Town to Cape Town collided with an Isuzu Double Cab heading in the opposite direction.

Thirteen people - including both drivers - died at the scene. The remaining six passengers from the minibus were rushed to Provincial Hospital for treatment, where two later succumbed to their injuries. The total death toll now stands at 15.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have extended their condolences to the bereaved families, describing the crash as a devastating blow following the department's successful Easter road safety campaign.