News / National
12 dead in Zimbabwe fuel tanker horror crash
28 May 2025 at 11:28hrs | Views
Twelve people died instantly yesterday morning when a fuel tanker collided with two other vehicles near the Sebakwe River on the Harare–Bulawayo Highway in Kwekwe, Midlands Province. The tragic accident occurred around 10:30 AM and involved a petrol tanker with two trailers, a two-tonne truck, and a Nissan AD van operating illegally as a taxi between Kwekwe and Ndarama Mine.
Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Fortune Mpungu, confirmed the crash, highlighting the swift response by the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), which helped avert a possible fire outbreak.
"I can confirm that 12 people died on the spot when three vehicles were involved in a freak accident near Sebakwe Bridge. The deceased were in the private vehicle pirating between Kwekwe and Ndarama Mine," said Mpungu.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also verified the incident in a statement posted on X, revealing that the crash happened at the 200-kilometre peg along the highway.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic accident near Sebakwe River involving a petrol tanker, a two-tonne truck, and a Nissan AD van carrying 12 occupants. All 12 occupants in the van died on the spot," said Commissioner Nyathi.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fuel tanker, travelling from Harare to Kwekwe, sideswiped the oncoming two-tonne truck before colliding head-on with the Nissan AD van. The tanker then dragged the van for several metres before overturning and landing on top of it, trapping all occupants inside.
Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, Officer Commanding Police Operations in Midlands Province, who inspected the crash site, confirmed the deceased included six males and six females.
He praised the Civil Protection Unit for their prompt intervention in securing the scene and preventing a potential explosion from the overturned fuel tanker.
"The timely action by the Civil Protection Unit was critical in preventing what could have been an even more devastating disaster," said Assistant Commissioner Matambo.
He also urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, especially when driving near fuel tankers and heavy vehicles on Zimbabwe's highways.
The bodies of the victims were transported to Kwekwe District Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Fortune Mpungu, confirmed the crash, highlighting the swift response by the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), which helped avert a possible fire outbreak.
"I can confirm that 12 people died on the spot when three vehicles were involved in a freak accident near Sebakwe Bridge. The deceased were in the private vehicle pirating between Kwekwe and Ndarama Mine," said Mpungu.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also verified the incident in a statement posted on X, revealing that the crash happened at the 200-kilometre peg along the highway.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic accident near Sebakwe River involving a petrol tanker, a two-tonne truck, and a Nissan AD van carrying 12 occupants. All 12 occupants in the van died on the spot," said Commissioner Nyathi.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fuel tanker, travelling from Harare to Kwekwe, sideswiped the oncoming two-tonne truck before colliding head-on with the Nissan AD van. The tanker then dragged the van for several metres before overturning and landing on top of it, trapping all occupants inside.
Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, Officer Commanding Police Operations in Midlands Province, who inspected the crash site, confirmed the deceased included six males and six females.
He praised the Civil Protection Unit for their prompt intervention in securing the scene and preventing a potential explosion from the overturned fuel tanker.
"The timely action by the Civil Protection Unit was critical in preventing what could have been an even more devastating disaster," said Assistant Commissioner Matambo.
He also urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, especially when driving near fuel tankers and heavy vehicles on Zimbabwe's highways.
The bodies of the victims were transported to Kwekwe District Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Source - online
