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Mnangagwa declares Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road accident a state of disaster
3 hrs ago |
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster following a fatal explosion on the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway in which at least 18 people are feared dead.
The declaration comes after a commuter omnibus (Toyota Quantum) caught fire and exploded on Thursday afternoon between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate, along one of Zimbabwe's busiest transport routes.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, saying the tragedy occurred 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," police said in a statement.
Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, were deployed to the scene, identified as Much Binding. Rescue and recovery operations continued into the afternoon, with authorities searching nearby bushland for victims believed to have been thrown from the vehicle by the blast.
Officials later cordoned off the area after fragments suspected to be explosive material were discovered a few metres from a crater formed by the explosion.
Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle may have been transporting explosives when it suddenly ignited and exploded in the middle of the road. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the blast or the intended destination of the cargo.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway, a key cross-border route linking Zimbabwe and South Africa, has previously experienced serious fatal incidents. In 2018, more than 40 people died after a gas cylinder exploded on a bus travelling along the same corridor.
Investigations into Thursday's explosion are ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details as more information becomes available.
The declaration comes after a commuter omnibus (Toyota Quantum) caught fire and exploded on Thursday afternoon between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate, along one of Zimbabwe's busiest transport routes.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, saying the tragedy occurred 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," police said in a statement.
Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, were deployed to the scene, identified as Much Binding. Rescue and recovery operations continued into the afternoon, with authorities searching nearby bushland for victims believed to have been thrown from the vehicle by the blast.
Officials later cordoned off the area after fragments suspected to be explosive material were discovered a few metres from a crater formed by the explosion.
Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle may have been transporting explosives when it suddenly ignited and exploded in the middle of the road. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the blast or the intended destination of the cargo.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway, a key cross-border route linking Zimbabwe and South Africa, has previously experienced serious fatal incidents. In 2018, more than 40 people died after a gas cylinder exploded on a bus travelling along the same corridor.
Investigations into Thursday's explosion are ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details as more information becomes available.
Source - Byo24News
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