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Zimbabwe declares State of Disaster after 27 die in highway crash
At least 27 people died following a head-on collision between a commuter minibus and a heavy haulage truck on the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Chivhu, Zimbabwe. The accident occurred on Friday night when a foreign-registered truck attempted to overtake another vehicle, striking the minibus.
The minibus, which was carrying members of the African Apostolic (Mwazha) Church to a religious conference, burst into flames upon impact and was destroyed. While 23 victims were reported dead at the scene, others succumbed to their injuries at local hospitals. At least seven others were injured in the crash.
In response to the tragedy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash, with preliminary reports suggesting the minibus may have been overloaded. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety and infrastructure in Zimbabwe, where high rates of fatal accidents are frequently attributed to driver error and vehicle overloading.
Entities
African Apostolic (Mwazha) Church · Chivhu · Emmerson Mnangagwa · Harare-Masvingo Highway · Paul Nyathi · World Health Organization · Zimbabwe Republic Police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least 27 people died in a head-on collision between a commuter omnibus and a heavy haulage truck. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · newziana.co.zw · observador.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zimbabwe had the highest rate of fatal road accidents in Southern Africa as of 2022. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · observador.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The accident occurred on the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Makumimavi Primary School. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · newziana.co.zw · observador.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The commuter omnibus was reportedly overloaded at the time of the crash. newziana.co.zw
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two survivors, including the truck driver, were hospitalized in critical condition. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · newziana.co.zw · observador.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] The commuter omnibus caught fire and was destroyed following the collision. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · observador.pt