News / National
Police verify identities of 7 pupils killed in kombi fire tragedy
2 hrs ago |
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Police in the Midlands Province have appealed for patience from parents and guardians as investigations continue into a tragic commuter omnibus fire that claimed the lives of seven pupils from Matongo Primary School in Senga suburb, Gweru.
The victims, identified as two boys and five girls, were among a group of children travelling in the commuter omnibus when it caught fire on Wednesday. Authorities were still working to verify the identities of the deceased at the time of reporting.
Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Patson Nyabadza, said police were compiling the names of all pupils who had been travelling in the vehicle before releasing official information.
"Right now we are consolidating names and surnames of pupils who were in the commuter omnibus. We will have full facts by tomorrow morning," Commissioner Nyabadza said.
He urged anxious parents and guardians, many of whom had gathered at the school and surrounding areas seeking information, to remain calm and allow the identification process to be completed.
The police chief advised families to return home and report to Senga Police Station on Thursday morning, where verified information would be made available.
Contrary to earlier reports, Commissioner Nyabadza said no pupils had been admitted to hospital following the incident.
However, the driver of the commuter omnibus and his conductor sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in hospital.
According to preliminary reports, the vehicle had departed from the school carrying 21 pupils, most of them enrolled in Early Childhood Development classes.
The kombi is reported to have caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre shortly after leaving the school. Members of the public rushed to assist the trapped children, managing to rescue several of them. Seven pupils, however, succumbed to the fire.
Police officers and other government officials remained at the scene throughout the day as investigations into the cause of the blaze continued.
Authorities are expected to release a comprehensive report once all victims have been positively identified and their families formally notified.
Further details are expected to emerge as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding one of the deadliest school transport tragedies in recent years.
The victims, identified as two boys and five girls, were among a group of children travelling in the commuter omnibus when it caught fire on Wednesday. Authorities were still working to verify the identities of the deceased at the time of reporting.
Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Patson Nyabadza, said police were compiling the names of all pupils who had been travelling in the vehicle before releasing official information.
"Right now we are consolidating names and surnames of pupils who were in the commuter omnibus. We will have full facts by tomorrow morning," Commissioner Nyabadza said.
He urged anxious parents and guardians, many of whom had gathered at the school and surrounding areas seeking information, to remain calm and allow the identification process to be completed.
The police chief advised families to return home and report to Senga Police Station on Thursday morning, where verified information would be made available.
However, the driver of the commuter omnibus and his conductor sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in hospital.
According to preliminary reports, the vehicle had departed from the school carrying 21 pupils, most of them enrolled in Early Childhood Development classes.
The kombi is reported to have caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre shortly after leaving the school. Members of the public rushed to assist the trapped children, managing to rescue several of them. Seven pupils, however, succumbed to the fire.
Police officers and other government officials remained at the scene throughout the day as investigations into the cause of the blaze continued.
Authorities are expected to release a comprehensive report once all victims have been positively identified and their families formally notified.
Further details are expected to emerge as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding one of the deadliest school transport tragedies in recent years.
Source - The Chronicle
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