Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson, Sipho Towa, says the accident occurred between two minibus taxis and one light motor vehicle after 03:00 on Saturday morning, March 2. 

Towa says when EMS arrived at the scene on the R26 between Bethlehem and Fouriesburg, they found one of the minibus taxis had erupted in flames in the collision, leaving eleven occupants of the taxi burned beyond recognition and another four from the same taxi with serious burn wounds.

Towa says two people traveling in the light motor vehicle also lost their lives in the collision.

According to the spokesperson, five people in total are in a critical condition and have been transported to Dihlabeng Hospital, in nearby Bethlehem. He says eight people from the second taxi sustained moderate injuries.

The spokesperson says all the relevant authorities are on site. 

He adds it is unknown what caused the collision at this stage.

OFM News