Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says the bodies of 8 people who died in a deadly crash in Limpopo have been identified.
The minister visited Limpopo on Tuesday, to monitor the progress made by health authorities and others to identify and repatriate the victims of the Easter bus crash.
45 people died when a bus — carrying Easter pilgrims — fell down a ravine and burst into flames, in Limpopo, on Thursday. The parishioners were travelling from Botswana en route to Moria for an annual Easter church service when the tragedy happened.
“The most difficult of all, is the process of identifying the remains of those who have been burnt beyond recognition. There are 8 bodies which are identifiable; (with) 6 of them preliminary identification has already been done.”
Those who have already been identified will be repatriated once the post-mortems are done. Some of the autopsies were completed this morning.
READ MORE: 8-year-old girl the only survivor as 45 killed in bus crash
“As early as Wednesday, once all the procedures, including from our side. We have colleagues here who work with the Border Management Authority, and also the South African Police Services. There are particular requirements which are needed legally in terms of human remains, if anybody passes away in our country, for the remains to be taken back to their country.”
Phaahla added that the 8-year-old sole survivor will be discharged from hospital tomorrow.
“It’s a real miracle that the child survived without any breaking of bones, just minor scratches and wounds which will heal. As early as Wednesday, the child can go home. That will be done in conjunction with the Botswana embassy.”
The minister added that everything is being done to support the families of the victims and that the process of identification is a lengthy process with no specific timeframe.
“Unfortunately, all that we can say is that it is going to take time. It’s going to take a lot of time. We are not in the position at this stage to commit (to a date) on the advice of our experts, both from the police forensics, and also from our own health forensics specialists.”
