A tragic incident occurs as a bus plunges off a cliff, resulting in the loss of 45 lives.

According to a statement from the country’s transport agency, 45 people lost their lives and one was badly injured after a bus carrying worshippers fell off a cliff on Thursday in the Limpopo region of South Africa on its way to an Easter conference.

An eight-year-old girl is the only survivor and has been taken to a hospital, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

The passengers, according to the SABC, were pilgrims making their way to a church for an Easter conference from Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, a neighboring country.Between Mokopane and Marken, in the Mamatlakala mountain pass, was where the collision occurred. It was reported that the bus fell and caught fire.

At least 45 people have been killed after a bus carrying Easter worshippers plunged off a cliff in South Africa’s Limpopo province, according to CNN. An eight-year-old girl was believed to be the only survivor. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/sr4vMfZqGk

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— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 28, 2024

“I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend,” Chikunga said in a statement.

In a statement, the province’s transport department said that “according to reports, the driver lost control and the bus fell onto a rocky surface, some 50 meters under the bridge and caught fire.”Efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies of the passengers who were killed, according to the statement.

“Some bodies burned beyond recognition,” the local department said. Others are “trapped inside the debris and others [are] scattered on the scene,” it added.

The government would return the bodies to Botswana, according to South African Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, the BBC reported.

A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass into a ravine and burst into flames in South Africa, killing at least 45 people.

Sad Good Friday disaster pic.twitter.com/jtgeuZGuN9

— mmatigari (@matigary) March 29, 2024

A bus carrying congregants ahead of Easter weekend reportedly plunged off the Mamatlakala bridge, Waterberg district, Limpopo on Thursday morning.

Following the crash, the bus ignited into flames, prompting emergency responders to rush to the scene.

Fatalities reported. pic.twitter.com/8smYHXWG80

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) March 28, 2024