JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African local media is reporting that at least eight school children have been killed and four others injured when a train hit a van taking the children to school Wednesday.
The collision occurred in Cape Town.
Witnesses told local media that the driver of the van drove around a closed crossing gate right before the collision.
The local eNews channel says the van driver is among three of the injured who are in serious condition and have been rushed to the hospital.
Railway safety officials say no injuries were reported for those on the train. The officials say the train was traveling out of Cape Town toward Eersterivier taking 13 children to school.
South African road fatality rates are among the highest in the world.
