Nine children were killed when their school bus was hit by a train on a level crossing in South Africa today.

Witnesses said the driver went around a closed barrier and straight into the path of the train in Cape Town.

He and another four children were injured. No-one on the train was hurt.

A police spokesman said they were investigating a case of homicide against the driver.

"The booms were down when the minibus crossed the level crossing. We are investigating a case of culpable homicide to establish whether someone can be held responsible for the deaths of the school children," he said.

Sobbing parents were among the first to arrive at the scene. Families stood in shock near the smashed bus.

South African road fatality rates are among the highest in the world.

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