The crash, which occurred this morning, injured sixteen other people.

Craig Botha from the province’s Private Ambulance service says; “A devastating collision between a truck and a light delivery vehicle transporting passengers has claimed multiple lives on the N2 highway near Empangeni this morning. KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulance Service personnel responded promptly to the scene, where they found that eight occupants had already succumbed to their injuries before emergency services arrived.

"Paramedics immediately rendered medical assistance to sixteen injured survivors. Four occupants sustained critical injuries, while twelve others were seriously injured. All injured patients received medical treatment and have been transported to nearby hospitals for further care.

"The cause of the collision is under investigation by local authorities.”

--SABC--