Forty-two people, including seven children, have been confirmed dead after a cross-border bus carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals overturned on a treacherous stretch of South Africa’s N1 highway last night.

According to local transport officials, the devastating crash, which occurred on a mountainous section of the highway in Limpopo province, saw the long-distance bus veering off the road along a steep mountain pass before plunging down an embankment.

Authorities confirmed that the fatalities include 18 women and 17 men, in addition to the seven children.

Forty-nine other passengers sustained injuries, with six reported to be in critical condition and one critically injured child airlifted to a hospital.

The bus was reportedly travelling from the city of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, destined for home countries when the tragedy occurred.

A formal investigation has been launched by traffic authorities and the South African Police Service.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed condolences, noting that the high death toll was a tragedy not only for South Africa but also for its sister states of Zimbabwe and Malawi.