Thirteen schoolchildren were killed and several others injured in a tragic road accident on 18 January 2026 on a highway south of Johannesburg, South Africa. The crash involved a minibus taxi and a truck, according to provincial traffic authorities, and occurred near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng province as students were being transported from school.
Emergency responders, including paramedics and traffic officers, were called to the scene and transported the injured to nearby hospitals, where some remain in critical condition. Gauteng police confirmed that the victims were pupils from different schools in the area. Road safety officials said preliminary investigations suggest the truck may have veered into oncoming traffic, but said a full inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause of the collision and to assess whether speed, driver fatigue or mechanical failure were contributing factors.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other national leaders extended condolences to the families of the victims. In statements issued on social media, government officials described the loss of young lives as “heartbreaking” and called for unity in supporting the grieving communities. Local education authorities have also announced plans to provide counselling services to classmates, teachers and families affected by the tragedy.
