News / National
9 die after vehicle swept away by floodwaters in Filabusi
2 hrs ago |
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Nine people, including a newborn baby, died on Thursday night after a vehicle they were travelling in was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded low-level bridge in Filabusi, police have confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred at around 10pm at Tshangamutope River in the Mulula area, when a Toyota Noah was overwhelmed by strong floodwaters.
According to police, the driver had initially stopped the vehicle and disembarked to assess the water level at the crossing. While he was outside, one of the passengers reportedly started the vehicle and attempted to drive across the flooded river.
"The vehicle was immediately swept away by the strong current, trapping all the occupants inside," said national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi. The driver survived the incident as he was not in the vehicle at the time.
Members of the local community later assisted in retrieving the vehicle from the river, with the bodies of the victims recovered in the early hours of Friday.
Commissioner Nyathi said the deceased include five adult women, two adult men, one female juvenile and a male toddler.
"Two of the victims have been positively identified, while efforts to identify the remaining victims are still underway," he said.
The bodies were taken to Filabusi District Hospital mortuary, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted.
The incident comes amid a surge in rain-related fatalities across the country. Police statistics indicate that more than 80 people have died since the start of the rainy season, with many incidents involving attempts to cross flooded rivers either on foot or in vehicles.
Authorities have once again urged motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution and to avoid crossing flooded waterways, warning that even seemingly shallow water can be deadly.
"Members of the public are advised to wait until water levels subside before attempting to cross rivers," police said, reiterating that preventable loss of life continues to occur despite repeated warnings.
The tragic incident occurred at around 10pm at Tshangamutope River in the Mulula area, when a Toyota Noah was overwhelmed by strong floodwaters.
According to police, the driver had initially stopped the vehicle and disembarked to assess the water level at the crossing. While he was outside, one of the passengers reportedly started the vehicle and attempted to drive across the flooded river.
"The vehicle was immediately swept away by the strong current, trapping all the occupants inside," said national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi. The driver survived the incident as he was not in the vehicle at the time.
Members of the local community later assisted in retrieving the vehicle from the river, with the bodies of the victims recovered in the early hours of Friday.
Commissioner Nyathi said the deceased include five adult women, two adult men, one female juvenile and a male toddler.
"Two of the victims have been positively identified, while efforts to identify the remaining victims are still underway," he said.
The bodies were taken to Filabusi District Hospital mortuary, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted.
The incident comes amid a surge in rain-related fatalities across the country. Police statistics indicate that more than 80 people have died since the start of the rainy season, with many incidents involving attempts to cross flooded rivers either on foot or in vehicles.
Authorities have once again urged motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution and to avoid crossing flooded waterways, warning that even seemingly shallow water can be deadly.
"Members of the public are advised to wait until water levels subside before attempting to cross rivers," police said, reiterating that preventable loss of life continues to occur despite repeated warnings.
Source - zimlive
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