Ten people, including two children, were killed on Tuesday when a taxi burst into flames on the N1 between Beaufort West and Leeu Gamka, Western Cape traffic officials said.
Seven people were injured in the crash, which happened at about 3am, Western Cape traffic department spokesperson Harold Williams said.
A truck allegedly overturned after one of its tyres burst. A taxi travelling in the opposite direction, towards Cape Town, crashed into a piece of metal that had fallen from the truck.
The metal hit the petrol tank of the taxi, causing it to burst into flames.
Nine people, including the two children, died at the scene, and one person died in hospital.
Five taxi occupants were injured and two people in the truck were seriously injured.
Western Cape minister for community safety Albert Fritz sent his condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Authorities are still investigating the exact cause, though, and we will have a better understanding of what happened once the investigation is complete. We will act swiftly if it was indeed a case of negligence.” — Sapa