By Majirata Latela
Mining company Storm Mountain Diamonds confirmed that the death toll from the horror crash involving a company bus at Tlaeng in Mokhotlong has risen to eight.
The bus, which was ferrying workers of Kao Diamond Mine to Maseru on Monday, is reported to have overturned in inclement weather on the slippery road; seven workers lost their lives on the spot.
According to the mine’s information officer, Moeketsi Chefa, the eighth worker succumbed to injuries at one of the local hospitals on Tuesday.
“The deceased is one of the three people who were taken to hospital after the accident yesterday. Seven are said to have died on the spot.
“Preliminary reports suggest that the driver was not aware of the condition of the road after a snap hail storm; as a result, he lost control of the bus and it overturned. Seven people died on the spot. Some were thrown out of the bus and it fell on them. Three of the passengers were taken to hospital and two are still in a critical conditions. Fifteen were taken to Letšeng Clinic where they are still receiving medical attention.
“We are in the process of notifying the families of all the people who were involved in the accident, especially those that perished,” Chefa said.
He thanked everyone that took part in the rescue operation, especially the Lesotho Defence Force, Letšeng Mine and Mothae Mine, who played vital roles in assisting the victims.
