Fuel tanker leaks thousands of litres near Umguza river

A potentially devastating catastrophe was narrowly avoided on Saturday when a fuel tanker carrying 37,000 litres of petrol and diesel was involved in a road accident along the Bulawayo-Harare Highway, just after the Umguza River.

The tanker, loaded with 19,500 litres of petrol and 17,500 litres of diesel, collided with a Nissan Note, which spun and struck part of the tanker's structure. The impact caused the diesel compartment to rupture, leading to a leak of approximately 5,000 litres of flammable fuel.

Thanks to a swift and coordinated response by the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, a major disaster—including potential fatalities, explosion, or widespread veld fires—was prevented. The Fire Brigade deployed three fire engines and an ambulance to the scene, while both lanes of the busy highway were temporarily closed and traffic was redirected.

"Countless lives could have been lost, and veld fires could have engulfed both sides of the highway if a fire had ignited when the fuel tanker lost thousands of litres of diesel," said Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo.

No fatalities were reported, although a woman believed to be the driver of the Nissan Note was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for observation. Witnesses said the woman appeared to have applied emergency brakes, causing the car to spin moments before the tanker struck it.

"Two cars overtook the Nissan as we approached the bridge," the fuel tanker driver, who requested anonymity, told reporters. "One of the drivers in front tried to avoid a head-on collision. She braked suddenly, and I also applied emergency brakes, but the truck was too heavy to stop in time."

A long-distance bus travelling in the same direction was also forced to brake suddenly but managed to avoid involvement in the crash.

Firefighters conducted a decontamination process at the site, covering the fuel spill with special absorbent material to prevent road slipperiness and further hazards. Mr Moyo said the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) had been called in to assist with the environmental safety procedures.

"We saved about 32,000 litres of fuel, using a sealing kit to stop further leakage," said Mr Moyo.

The scene was declared safe approximately two hours after the accident. The damaged tanker was later secured a few metres from the impact site to prevent further risk.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing to determine any further liability or safety breaches.

Authorities have once again urged motorists to exercise caution, especially on high-risk stretches like the Umguza River Bridge, which is known for sharp turns and limited visibility.