Pretoria — At least two private ambulances are fully packed with medical supplies, ready to leave for Mozambique, tomorrow morning.

The consignment, provided by private donor Netcare, comprises gloves, surgical knives, surgical clothes, anesthetics, syringes and bandages.

It is destined for the Maputo Central hospital, where hundreds of victims of the horrific train accident that killed more 200 civilians and injuring scores at the weekend, are being treated.

The hospital is reportedly experiencing an acute shortage of blood and medicines.

The South African government pledged medical supplies to the Portuguese-speaking neighbour following a plea for assistance from the Mozambican authorities.

The train crash in Moamba district, about 40 kilometres north of Maputo, is the third catastrophe to hit Mozambique in recent years.

Two years ago, destructive floods killed scores of civilians and injured hundreds others, while thousands were displaced.

At the time of the devastating floods, the country was emerging from the prolonged 'bloody' civil war that saw many Mozambicans falling victim to landmines and other explosive military devices planted across the country.

Past severe drought and economic slump also had a destructive hand in depraving the nation, rich in natural gas, of decent humane living over the years.

Meanwhile, transport minister Dullah Omar is visiting the hospital today to show support and convey the country's condolences to the bereaved.

The minister joined President Thabo Mbeki in sending the country's condolences to the victims' families immediately after the crash.

The Mozambican authorities have since launched an inquiry into the accident, believed to have been due to human error.