Johannesburg, Sep 6 (IANS): A truck collided with five other vehicles in South Africa Thursday night, killing at least 24 people and injuring about 80 others, media reported.

The tragic incident took place after the truck crashed into four minibus taxis and a car in Pinetown of KuaZulu-Natal province, Xinhua reported citing a News24 report.

It is believed that the accident was caused by the failure of the truck's braking system. Police have launched further investigation into the tragedy.

It is the latest fatal road accident in KuaZulu-Natal. Earlier Sunday evening, a bus carrying girls and their mothers on their way home from the reed dance event overturned in the same province, leaving at least 10 people dead.

In July this year, 158 people lost their lives in road accidents in the southeastern province.

In recent years, road accidents have become one of the biggest killers in South Africa. Ageing vehicles, bad roads, dim awareness of traffic safety and lax regulations are considered major contributors to the road death toll and disability.