By Charmaine Ndlela
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that 11 schoolchildren died on Monday on their way to school, after a private minibus taxi collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal.
Emergency services are currently at the scene, and authorities have secured the area as investigations into the cause of the collision are underway.
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According to GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, preliminary reports indicate that the 11 learners died at the scene, while five others sustained critical injuries and are receiving medical care.
“At this stage the scene remains active, and emergency services are still attending to the accident,” Mabona added.
Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane is making his way to the scene to oversee the emergency response and support efforts.
This is a developing story
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