A fatal car crash in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), has claimed at least 10 lives. Here’s what we know about the death toll, road closures and the latest updates.
Pongola car crash: What’s the death toll?
UPDATE: The latest developments coming from the Pongola car crash suggest the death toll has increased to 21 victims, the majority of whom are children.
Details around the incident were still very sketchy at the time this article was published. However, according to reports, a head-on collision between a passenger-carrying bakkie and an industrial truck claimed the lives of eight children and two adults.
Per News24, the fatal car crash took place on the N2 highway between Pongola and Itshelejuba.
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Rescue officials and Durban police had cordoned off the area of the car crash to collect evidence, remove the bodies and clear the debris at the time this article was published.
In a statement, EMS spokesperson Robert Mckenzie confirmed the death toll is not final.
“One child is in a critical condition and has been transported to hospital,” Mckenzie noted.
What are the latest updates?
Investigations are underway to determine was caused the deadly Pongola car crash. At this time, local authorities will be piling through forensic evidence, possibly focusing on toxicology tests to examine the conditions of the respective drivers at the time of the accident.
Police have yet to issue a formal statement.
“The cause of the crash is unknown at this stage,” Mckenzie added.
Pongola car crash: Road closures on Friday, 16 September 2022
Motorists travelling along the N2 highway in the northern interior of Durban are advised to expect heavy congestion in both directions of the N2 highway in the northern interior of Durban, between Pongola and Itshelejuba.
Emergency services are expected to remain at the scene of the crash until all the debris has been cleared. Motorists using the route are advised to practice patience or use make use of alternative roads.
This is a developing story.
