The crash happened on the R26 between Fauriesburg and Bethlehem in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Thirteen people have been killed and eight others injured in a collision between a car and two minibuses in the Free State.

The crash happened on the R26 between Fouriesburg and Bethlehem in the early hours of Saturday morning.

One vehicle lost control and hit a minibus which lost control and then hit another minibus in a head-on collision which instantly caught fire.

Spokesperson for the police, Roads and Transport in the Free State Hilary Mophete said: “11 people died in the minibus and the BMW driver also died on the scene and one person from the other minibus and eight people were injured and taken to hospital.</s>Thirteen people were killed and six others injured in a horror collision between two minibuses and a BMW in the Free State in the early hours of Saturday.

Spokesperson for the Free State roads and transport department Hilary Mophete said the crash had occurred at around 3am on the R26 between Fouriesburg and Bethlehem.

She said it was alleged that the driver of the BMW had lost control of the vehicle and struck one of the minibuses before colliding head-on with the other minibus which had caught fire.

“Eleven people from the second minibus and one from first minibus died. The driver of the minibus also died. Six people were injured,” Mophete said.

The injured were ferried to hospital.

She said the two minibuses were apparently en route to Durban from Lesotho to buy business stock.</s>Twelve people were burnt to death in a horror smash between Bethlehem and Fouriesburg early on Saturday morning, Free State's department of police, roads and transport said.

"A BMW collided with two mini buses and 11 people in the minibus burned beyond recognition and the driver of the BMW also died," said spokesperson Hillary Mophethe on the department's Facebook page.

She said law enforcement agencies were at the scene and more information would be provided when a full report is released.

The department repeatedly calls for vigilance and extra caution on the roads in the province. The accident occurred on one of the main routes to Lesotho.</s>At least 13 people were dead in South Africa after a collision involving three vehicles on Saturday, news website eNCA reported.

Transport authority spokesperson Hilary Mophete told eCNA that a driver allegedly drove off the road, sideswiping a minibus and then colliding head on with a second bus.

The second bus burst into flames, killing 11 persons; the driver of the car and one passenger in the first minibus also died and six people were injured while three were severely injured.

The accident happened in Free State, a province in the country’s centre.</s>Staff photographer Robin Trajano and I have agreed to swap long-term cars. From here on out, Robin will drive the BMW X3 M40i and I will oversee the BMW X2. Robin wanted more size, power and aggressive noise, and I wanted a smaller footprint, quieter exhaust and better fuel economy.

Horse-trading sorted, my first order of business is to try to better comprehend what sort of vehicle the X2 really is, and more so, does it serve its purpose of intended function. I've been behind the wheel for a few weeks, and still continue contemplating if this is simply BMW's direct response to the Mercedes GLA or something more? Maybe it's BMW's interpretation of Volkswagen's much-loved GTI? Or perhaps it is a remixed version of BMW's own rear-drive 1 Series, a hatch that is still in production, but not sold here. Possibly this is just BMW offering a sportier variation of their X1 SUV, one with sharper styling, better driving dynamics, and more curb appeal. I'll continue contemplating knowing that more time spent with the X2 is certain to reveal the answer.

The second order of business is adapting to the reality of a front-drive BMW, one that shares a platform with various Mini products. That fact aside, it's apparent that the brand has done a good job at impregnating X2 with BMW DNA inside and out. Exterior styling is unmistakably BMW (the roundel on the C-pillar is a wink to BMW's '70's era CS coupe), and the interior switchgear, instrument panel dials, and dash layout all look similar to what you'd find in any modern BMW. But, the budget platform origins of the X2 occasionally shine through in the form of small seats that look out of place in a BMW, and a lack of adjustable seatbelt height. Furthermore, the chicken-leg-like, mechanical shifter is strikingly different than the electronic shifter found in most other BMW SUVs and sedans. Though the mechanical stick works just fine, it lacks the luxo-tech premium feel experienced in other BMWs. Also noticeable is the lack of detents in the HVAC system. Temperature selections can only be had in increments of two, something that Mini owners can relate to, but that ultimately is perplexing and annoying when one setting is too warm and the other too cold. On the plus side, anyone familiar with BMWs will be delighted at the seat bottom extenders and the thick, beefy steering wheel, both signature BMW accouterments that help make this this hatch feel like a genuine BMW merchandise.

Read more about our long-term 2018 BMW X2:

The radio preset buttons display their programmed channel when you hover a finger on them.</s>The Bethlehem Armory is under a lease by the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority and they are taking bids for sale of the building. Photos shot on Tuesday.
A BMW collides with two oncoming minibuses between Fouriesburg and Bethlehem in Free State, South Africa, killing thirteen and injuring eight.