A tragic bus crash claimed the lives of 43 individuals after a DNC Coaches bus, traveling from South Africa to Zimbabwe, plunged down an embankment on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. along the N1 North near Ingwe Lodge in South Africa's Limpopo Province. The bus, which was en route from Port Elizabeth and East London, was carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian passengers.

South Africa's Department of Transport confirmed on Monday that 42 passengers died at the scene and 49 others were injured. The death toll subsequently rose to 43 by Tuesday. Investigations revealed that the bus was carrying a total of 91 passengers, significantly exceeding its declared carrying capacity of 61 seats, a factor that survivors have linked to the severity of the accident. Some survivors reported that the bus was speeding and overloaded.

In a statement released on Tuesday, DNC Coaches acknowledged the tragedy, stating that it was too early to determine the exact cause of the crash. The company affirmed its full cooperation with authorities in the ongoing investigations and committed to working diligently to gather accurate information. DNC Coaches also requested the public and media to respect the privacy of the victims and their families during this challenging period, promising to release more details as they become available.

Following the disaster, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the tragedy a national disaster, underscoring the severity of the incident. The government has urged affected families to come forward to identify the deceased, facilitating necessary arrangements for repatriation.