Soweto taxi accident injures 40

An accident between two minibus taxis in Soweto, Johannesburg left 40 people injured, says Gauteng paramedics.

"The two fully laden taxis collided head on and then bust into flames, passages clambered out of the vehicle, some with the aid of fellow commuters and bystanders," said Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha.

"The interior of both taxis were totally gutted by the flames."

Forty people from both of the taxis have been injured, 6 of them seriously in the Doxenville road accident. One of the injured suffered burns on 50 percent of his body.

Police were working to re-direct traffic but their work was hindered by rain.

"Traffic is horribly affected, people should take alternative roads, though Main Reef road is the main artery," said Johannesburg emergency services spokesman Percy Morokane.