At least 18 people are feared dead after a commuter omnibus (kombi) caught fire and exploded along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road on Thursday afternoon, police have confirmed.
In a brief statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said the tragic incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate.
“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.
Authorities indicated that investigations are still underway to establish the cause of the fire and the circumstances leading to the explosion.
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“More details will be released in due course,” the police added.
Emergency services were reportedly dispatched to the scene soon after the incident, while traffic along the busy highway experienced disruptions as rescue and recovery efforts continued.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road is one of Zimbabwe’s busiest transport corridors, linking the country to regional trade routes through Beitbridge Border Post.
Police said further information, including identification of victims and possible injuries among survivors, would be communicated once investigations progress.
The ZRP urged motorists to exercise caution on the country’s highways and comply with road safety regulations as authorities continue to assess the situation.
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