38 Teenage 'Virgins' die on their way to dance for Swazi King

King Mswati III, King of Swaziland

Thirty-eight teenage girls described as being 'virgins' are alleged to have died in an accident when their bus crashed on the way to dance for the Swazi king.

The dance consists of many topless teenage virgins dancing for King Mswati III.

The thirty-eight deceased girls were among 50 teenagers travelling in  a vehicle which struck a car that police escorts had directed to the side of the road.

A second truck crashed into the first lorry from behind on a highway bridge in Matsapha, on route to King Mswati's palace at Lozitha. According to sources, injured maidens were littered all over the place with the tarmac covered with blood.

The death of the young girls have reportedly led to calls for the cancellation of Monday's annual event. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), a pro-democracy group based in Pretoria has called for the termination of the dance event. "We hope that the families of the deceased girls will hold the royal family accountable for the deaths of their children", says the SSN in a statement.

About 80,000 maidens were planned to dance for King Mswati III on Monday. Reports say, some might have been chosen as the polygamous King's 15th wife. Swazi government sources say the event is a tourist attraction and will not be cancelled.