At least six people were killed in a head-on collision between two taxis near Newlands in Durban, the KwaZulu-Natal transport department said on Monday.

Spokesperson Nonkululeko Mbatha said the accident happened on Kennedy road around 10pm on Sunday.

Six people died at the scene. Twelve others were critically injured and taken to King Edward Hospital.

Mbatha said it was suspected that the accident was caused by wet weather.

The accident brings the total number of road-related fatalities in the province over the past 24 hours to 13.

Earlier on Sunday, at least seven people were killed in two separate accidents in the province.

The first accident took place near Dalton when the driver of a car lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn. Two people were killed.

Two other people were critically injured while the third suffered minor injuries.

In the second accident, five people were killed and several others injured in a collision on the N2 highway near KwaDukuza.

The accident happened when the driver of a car, trying to overtake a van, crashed into it, said Mbatha.

Transport safety and security MEC Bheki Cele sent his condolences to the bereaved families.

He said he was saddened that road carnages had not reduced and that it was a senseless loss of life.

This comes just a few days before the launch of this season's road safety plan.

Sapa