At least 16 people were killed in a bus crash on the N1 near Touws River in the early hours of Thursday.

At least 16 people have died in a devastating bus crash on the N1 near Touws River in the Western Cape on Thursday morning.

Two others were also seriously injured when the bus, carrying 73 people overturned after the driver swerved to avoid a delivery vehicle.

Western Cape traffic chief Maxine Bezuidenhout said the incident happened at about 12am.

"We confirm an incident on the N1 near Touws River at approximately 12am on Thursday, where a bus transporting 73 South African residents has overturned," she said.