At least 27 people have lost their lives following a horrific road crash in central Zimbabwe involving a truck and a minibus carrying churchgoers.
The fatal accident occurred on Friday evening near Chivhu, a town located south of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
According to police, the tragedy happened when a foreign-registered haulage truck reportedly attempted to overtake another vehicle before colliding head-on with the minibus. The minibus was transporting passengers who were travelling to attend a church conference.
Both vehicles were carrying an unspecified number of passengers at the time of the collision. Police confirmed that seven other people sustained injuries and were taken for medical attention.
Images and footage released by Zimbabwe’s public broadcaster, ZBC, showed the devastating aftermath of the crash. The minibus was severely damaged and burned, while the truck came to rest on the opposite side of the road.
The accident has once again raised concerns about road safety in Zimbabwe, where serious crashes are frequently linked to poor road conditions, dangerous driving and other traffic-related challenges.
Privately operated minibuses, commonly known as kombis, remain an important means of transportation for many Zimbabweans. However, concerns have repeatedly been raised over issues including overloading and unsafe driving practices.
The latest tragedy has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of road safety regulations and greater caution among motorists, particularly on major highways.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash as families and communities mourn those who lost their lives.
