At least 24 people were killed in a tragic road traffic accident along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway on Thursday morning, police have confirmed.
The crash, which occurred around 8 a.m. near Lutumba Toll Gate, involved an Urban Connect bus carrying 65 passengers and an Auro Transport haulage truck with four occupants on board.
According to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the bus was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided head-on with the truck, which was traveling in the opposite direction.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of injuries, but survivors have been rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital for treatment.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the same hospital for post-mortem.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 262-kilometer peg along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road near Lutumba Toll Gate. Police are currently at the scene. More details will be released in due course.” Nyathi said in a statement.
The country’s major highways, particularly the Masvingo-Beitbridge route, are notorious for deadly accidents due to high traffic volume and reckless driving.