According to a statement issued late Sunday by the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the crash occurred at around 3:00 p.m. local time when a mini-SUV carrying three men and four women collided head-on with a truck on the M17 highway between KwaZakhele and Motherwell in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

CAPE TOWN, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed in a two-vehicle collision on Sunday afternoon in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, local authorities confirmed.

According to a statement issued late Sunday by the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the crash occurred at around 3:00 p.m. local time when a mini-SUV carrying three men and four women collided head-on with a truck on the M17 highway between KwaZakhele and Motherwell in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

All seven occupants of the mini-SUV were declared dead at the scene, while the truck driver survived and was treated for trauma, the provincial transport department said.

"The cause of the crash is still under investigation," said the department, adding that police have opened a case of culpable homicide.

In a statement, Xolile Nqatha, member of the executive council for transport in the Eastern Cape, conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

"We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss of seven lives in a single incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones in such tragic circumstances," Nqatha said.

"We once again call on all road users to exercise extreme caution, remain patient, and respect the rules of the road, particularly during this high traffic period," he added.■