At least nine children perished in a horrific accident after a minibus taxi veered off the bridge and plunged into the Mpuluzi River in South Africa on Wednesday.

The children were among 19 pupils travelling in the taxi along the D267 between Dundonald and Mayflower, near the Eswatini border.

The deceased have been identified as Bongani Brilliant Vilakazi, 7, Mpilo Prince Ntumbe, 9, Siphesihle Nhleko, 11, Charmaine Bonakele Sibiya, 13, Lungile Lubisi, 8, Abenathi Nhlabathi, 5, Nothando Magagula,  Lindokuhle Angel Nkosi, 6, and Nombuso Rethabile Radebe, 8.

The Nkambule family lost two while five other children are still in hospital.

Authorities said the cause of the crash was being investigated but there was no other car involved in the accident.