Seven people were killed and ten others seriously injured when two taxis collided on the N12 near KwaMashu in Durban on Thursday, paramedics said.

"The numbers may rise, we are still extracting people from the mangled mess," said Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha.

The taxis collided head on and both somersaulted a number of times, he said.

"The rain is pouring down and is hampering the rescue operation. I am not sure if there are any children involved...there are bodies which are piled on top of each other, and we are not sure if they are alive."

Botha said the 10 injured were taken to hospitals in the area.

"They are all in a very serious condition."

Sapa