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Eight ‘burnt beyond recognition’ in fiery N1 crash outside Beaufort West

Two people in the minibus and six in the motor vehicle were declared dead on scene, say police.
Image: Supplied

Eight people died on Monday morning after two vehicles collided and burst into flames on the N1 outside Beaufort West.

Police spokesperson Sgt Christopher Spies said a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi and a red Volkswagen Polo collided head-on.

“Beaufort West police opened a case of culpable homicide following a fatal accident on the N1 outside Beaufort West between 9 and 10 this morning.”

“At least eight occupants, two in the minibus and six in the motor vehicle, sustained serious injuries. They were later declared dead by paramedics on scene. Preliminary investigation suggests the vehicles were travelling in opposite directions to and from the Cape metropole.”

Spies said the cause of the accident is yet to be established.

Western Cape minister of transport and public works Daylin Mitchell said initial reports suggested a tyre burst on the VW Polo, causing it to veer into the taxi.

“Both vehicles caught fire and all passengers were burnt beyond recognition. My heartfelt condolences to all the families and the loved ones of those who lost their lives.”

He said the Western Cape was experiencing a significant outflow of traffic on main routes since schools and industry closed last week.

TimesLIVE

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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