At least 40 killed in bus accident in South African province

JOHANNESBURG - At least 40 people, including seven children, were killed in a bus accident in South Africa's Limpopo Province on Sunday evening, the country's Road Traffic Management Corporation said Monday.

Preliminary reports showed that the bus veered off the road along a steep mountain pass and rolled down an embankment. The victims were Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals on their way to homeland from the Eastern Cape Province, said the corporation.

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy," said Limpopo Provincial Premier Phophi Ramathuba. "On behalf of the Limpopo Provincial government, we extend our deepest condolences to the affected families, including those in Zimbabwe and Malawi. We wish a full and speedy recovery to all survivors."

The injured were taken to hospitals, and the Limpopo provincial government said psychosocial services are being provided to them.