By A Correspondent| Western Cape police have opened an investigation into a fatal bus crash on the N1 outside Touws River that left 16 people dead in the early hours of Thursday, 2 July 2026.

The bus was carrying 78 passengers on a route from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape when it overturned shortly after midnight near Touwsrivier.

Authorities confirmed that at least three of those killed were children. Several other passengers were injured and rushed to hospital for treatment.

Western Cape police spokesperson Andre Traut said early findings show no other vehicles were involved.
“Several others sustained injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the incident. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, whilst the cause of the incident remains under investigation,” Traut said.

The exact cause of the crash is still being investigated by police.