The death toll in a tragic collision involving a bakkie and a bus on the N2 near Peddie has risen to five, according to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport.
Four of the victims were occupants of the bakkie, while a fifth person later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. A sixth occupant remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Several passengers travelling on the bus, which was en route from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town, sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment. The bus driver was treated for shock at the scene.
Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose described the incident as devastating and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
"This is a devastating crash that has claimed five lives, leaving one person critically injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that have lost their loved ones in this untimely manner," Binqose said.
He added that Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha has appealed to motorists to exercise caution on the roads.
"The MEC for Transport in the Eastern Cape, Mr Xolile Nqatha, is calling on road users to be extra vigilant and extra cautious at all times to help us prevent these accidents that continue to claim so many lives on our roads," Binqose said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on the Cape Flats, two people were killed in a four-vehicle collision involving a bus on Robert Sobukwe Road near Bishop Lavis on Monday morning.
One of the victims was a pedestrian who was reportedly on his way to work when the crash occurred.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said several other people were injured in the collision and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Van Wyk confirmed that police have opened a case of culpable homicide and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are underway.