38 girls and women killed on way to Swaziland music festival
A total of 38 girls and young women have been killed in a crash while travelling to a famous traditional festival in Swaziland, a rights group has claimed.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network said in a statement that about 20 others were injured when the truck they were in collided with another vehicle yesterday.
The Times of Swaziland reported that the truck smashed into the back of a van and was then hit in the rear by another truck.
The women were on their way to the Swazi king’s royal residence for the annual reed dance.
A government website says about 40,000 girls and young women participate in the eight-day ceremony each year in which they bring reeds to reinforce the windbreak around the royal residence.
