CAPE TOWN, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people were killed after a bus overturned on the N1 highway near the town of Touwsrivier, known in English as Touws River, in South Africa's Western Cape province early Thursday, local authorities said.

"We confirm an incident on the N1 near Touwsrivier at approximately 00:40 this morning (2240 GMT Wednesday), where a bus transporting 73 South African residents has overturned," said the Western Cape Mobility Department in a statement.

"Tragically, 16 people have lost their lives, while two others sustained serious injuries," it said.

"Emergency services remain on scene, providing assistance and managing the incident," the department said, adding that a stop-and-go traffic system was in place as rescue and recovery operations continued.