Bus disaster: Search called off

2003-05-04 20:35

Bloemfontein - The search for more bodies in the Workers' Day bus disaster in the eastern Free State has been suspended and the final death toll is 51.

According to the Free State MEC for public works, roads and transport, Sekhopi Malebo, all those reported missing after the accident have been accounted for.

"We have decided, in consultation with the police, that all searches be suspended."

This included the search by police divers since Thursday for bodies in the Saulspoort Dam outside Bethlehem, Malebo said.

The divers had found no more bodies than the 51 retrieved by Thursday evening.

A bus loaded with labour union members plunged into the dam after the driver had apparently lost his bearings in the dark.

They were on their way from Kimberley to a Workers' Day rally in Phuthatditjhaba in Qwa Qwa.

Since the accident it was speculated that the death toll could be as high as 90.

Malebo said all people reported missing after the accident has since been tracked down. All 51 bodies retrieved from the dam have been identified by Saturday.

Malebo also said the victims, of whom the majority worked for the Sol Plaatje municipality in Kimberley and surrounding towns, were to be buried in a mass funeral next Sunday.

This was agreed to in a meeting between him and the bereaved families.

A municipal memorial service was to be held on Monday at 08:00 in the Kimberley Town Hall. National memorial services were to be held on Wednesday in both Kimberley and at the scene of the accident in Bethlehem.

When asked about the absence of signs on the road the disaster bus had followed into the dam, Malebo said this formed part of the thorough investigation into the accident.

- SAPA