South African Mayday rallyists bus crashes - up to 80 feared dead
bbc worldwide | 01.05.2003 09:26
Up to 80 people are feared dead after a coach carrying trade union members headed for a Mayday rally plunged into a river in central South Africa.
Dozens feared dead in SA bus crash
Up to 80 people are feared dead after a coach carrying trade union members plunged into a river in central South Africa.
The bus was taking some 90 people to a May Day rally in Free State when it apparently went down a gravel path into a river near the town of Bethlehem.
The bus was completely submerged but Sergeant Sharon Tau from Bethlehem Police told the BBC that it was now being pulled out of the water.
Police say that five bodies have been recovered and 10 people have been taken to hospital.
Unsafe roads
Those travelling in the coach were all members of South Africa's main labour federation the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
South Africa's roads have a reputation for being unsafe.
More than 9,000 people are killed on the roads every year, reports Associated Press news agency.
Alcohol, police corruption and unroadworthy vehicles are some of the causes for the high death toll, officials say.
Up to 80 people are feared dead after a coach carrying trade union members plunged into a river in central South Africa.
The bus was taking some 90 people to a May Day rally in Free State when it apparently went down a gravel path into a river near the town of Bethlehem.
The bus was completely submerged but Sergeant Sharon Tau from Bethlehem Police told the BBC that it was now being pulled out of the water.
Police say that five bodies have been recovered and 10 people have been taken to hospital.
Unsafe roads
Those travelling in the coach were all members of South Africa's main labour federation the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
South Africa's roads have a reputation for being unsafe.
More than 9,000 people are killed on the roads every year, reports Associated Press news agency.
Alcohol, police corruption and unroadworthy vehicles are some of the causes for the high death toll, officials say.
bbc worldwide