News / National
Explosion horror claims 18 lives on Beitbridge highway
3 hrs ago |
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At least 18 people are feared dead after a Toyota Quantum kombi caught fire following a suspected explosion along the busy Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road on Thursday afternoon, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
In a statement, police said the tragic incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate between 1 pm and 2 pm.
"The ZRP reports the death of approximately 18 people when a kombi exploded into fire between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road between 1300 hours and 1400 hours today. More details will be released in due course," the police said.
Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, were swiftly deployed to the scene, identified as an area known as Much Binding. Rescue and recovery efforts continued into the afternoon, with authorities combing nearby bushland for bodies believed to have been scattered by the blast.
Officials said the area has since been sealed off after fragments suspected to be explosive material were discovered a few metres from a crater created by the explosion.
Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle may have been transporting explosives when it suddenly burst into flames in the middle of the road, triggering the deadly incident. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion or the intended destination of the cargo.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge highway, a key transport corridor linking Zimbabwe to South Africa, has a history of fatal incidents. In 2018, more than 40 people were killed when a gas cylinder exploded on a bus travelling along the same route.
Investigations into Thursday's explosion are ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details as more information becomes available.
In a statement, police said the tragic incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate between 1 pm and 2 pm.
"The ZRP reports the death of approximately 18 people when a kombi exploded into fire between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road between 1300 hours and 1400 hours today. More details will be released in due course," the police said.
Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, were swiftly deployed to the scene, identified as an area known as Much Binding. Rescue and recovery efforts continued into the afternoon, with authorities combing nearby bushland for bodies believed to have been scattered by the blast.
Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle may have been transporting explosives when it suddenly burst into flames in the middle of the road, triggering the deadly incident. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion or the intended destination of the cargo.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge highway, a key transport corridor linking Zimbabwe to South Africa, has a history of fatal incidents. In 2018, more than 40 people were killed when a gas cylinder exploded on a bus travelling along the same route.
Investigations into Thursday's explosion are ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details as more information becomes available.
Source - Cite
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