Mnangagwa mourns 7 learners, declares national disaster

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster the tragic accident that claimed the lives of seven primary school learners after a commuter omnibus carrying children caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre in Gweru yesterday afternoon.

In a statement issued by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, the President expressed his condolences to the affected families and directed Government departments to mobilise resources to support both the bereaved families and those affected by the tragedy.

"His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, this evening was briefed about the tragic accident in which seven pupils perished in an inferno when a commuter omnibus they were travelling on caught fire at the Gweru suburb of Senga today," the statement read.

"Eleven more pupils and the driver have since been hospitalised. In expressing his deepest, heartfelt condolences to the affected families, His Excellency the President has directed that this grisly accident be declared a national disaster to allow Government room to move in and mobilise resources for immediate assistance to the bereaved families and all those hospitalised."

The President also appealed to motorists and other road users to exercise extreme caution, noting concerns over a recent increase in serious road accidents.

The learners, from Matongo and Stanley primary schools, were being transported home to Mtautsi, Dalsford and Nehosho suburbs when the vehicle caught fire at around 1pm.

Witnesses and bystanders at Senga Shopping Centre rushed to the scene and managed to rescue a number of children from the burning vehicle. However, seven learners lost their lives in the incident.

Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko confirmed the tragedy, describing it as a devastating day for the city.

"I can confirm that seven bodies of infant learners were retrieved from a commuter omnibus that caught fire in Senga today. It's a sad day for the people of Gweru," he said.

Public Service Commission Midlands Provincial Coordinator Andrew Chimanyiwa said preliminary investigations indicated that 23 learners had been travelling in the vehicle.

"We recovered seven bodies, that is, two girls and five boys," he said.

Mr Chimanyiwa said initial findings suggested the fire may have been linked to the transportation of petrol inside the commuter omnibus.

Police in the Midlands Province later urged parents and guardians to verify information through official channels as authorities worked to establish the identities of all the learners who had been on board.

Ward 5 Councillor Aaron Mumvana said members of the public responded quickly when the fire broke out, helping many children escape from the vehicle.

"It was around lunch hour when the vehicle caught fire. Revellers and shoppers who were at the shopping centre managed to open the sliding door and take out the pupils. Unfortunately, those at the back failed to make it," he said.

The tragedy has plunged the Gweru community into mourning, with families, school authorities and residents struggling to come to terms with the loss of the young learners.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing.