SA sends condolences to Switzerland

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Pretoria - South Africa has sent condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the tragic bus accident in Switzerland, where 28 people - including 22 children aged around 12 - lost their lives.

"The people of South Africa wish to give you comfort and support during this tragic and sad moment of loss and grief," President Zuma said in a statement.

He wished all those injured a speedy recovery.

The accident occurred in a tunnel near Sierre, in the Swiss canton of Valais. Swiss police say 21 of the victims were Belgian and seven were Dutch. Another 24 people on the bus were injured.

They were returning from a skiing holiday in the Swiss resort of Saint Luc in Val d'Anniviers near Sion, the capital city of Valais.

The bus, carrying 52 people, struck the left side of the tunnel, veered right and crashed into the emergency lane, according to the police.