NINE people, including two children, were killed and at least 25 others injured on Tuesday morning when a bus was struck by a train at a railway level crossing in the Lowveld, authorities have confirmed.

The fatal accident occurred at around 7AM on Mbizi Road in Triangle, Chiredzi District. According to the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and police, a Makuku Bus travelling from Chikombedzi to Masvingo failed to stop at the level crossing and drove into the path of an approaching goods train.

The train, which was travelling from Triangle to the NRZ Lundi siding, collided with the bus, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The NRZ said the bus driver “failed to observe level crossing rules, which require drivers to stop and check for oncoming trains before proceeding.”
Among the nine dead were seven adults and two minors. Twenty-five passengers were taken to hospital, the parastatal said, where they were receiving treatment.

Police, in a separate statement, confirmed nine fatalities and said 26 people had been injured.

“More details will be availed soon as police officers are still attending to the accident,” national police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
Emergency services including police, ambulances and the fire brigade were on-site managing an active rescue operation, the NRZ said.

The NRZ extended condolences to the families of the dead and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The parastatal also used the statement to appeal to road users: “We would also like to urge all motorists to strictly observe level crossing regulations to avoid loss of lives and injuries.”