Nine interns on their way to a mine in Hendrina were killed in a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck.

Eight of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition.

Mpumalanga Community Safety spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said police are looking into cases of culpable homicide.

"The saddest thing is that the passengers were interns who started working at the mine on Monday," said Mmusi.

Mmusi said the drivers of both vehicles escaped with minor injuries.

eNCA