At least 21 people have died and three others were injured in a serious collision on the N1 between Prince Albert and Leeu-Gamka.
According to reports, the incident took place at 23:30 on Sunday, 13 September, and involved two minibus taxis and a station wagon.
Emergency and traffic teams remain on scene attending to the incident.
The N1 is currently closed in both directions. The only available alternative route is via Prince Albert Road Station, along the R407 towards the N12, and then continuing on the N12 towards Beaufort West (approximately 200km).
Motorists are urged to avoid the area where possible, exercise extreme caution, expect significant delays, and follow the instructions of traffic officials and emergency personnel on site.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims.
This tragedy comes just days after another fatal accident on the same stretch of road. On Friday morning, 11 September, three people were killed and six others injured when a minibus taxi and a Nissan NP200 bakkie collided head-on near Leeu-Gamka. The bakkie burst into flames on impact. The South African Police Service launched a culpable homicide investigation into that incident.
The latest crash marks one of the deadliest road accidents in the Western Cape in recent years.
