NINE people, including two children, were killed and 25 others hospitalised on Tuesday when a bus drove onto a railway crossing and was struck by a goods train in Chiredzi district.
The collision occurred at around 7am on Mbizi Road in Triangle when a Makuku Bus travelling from Chikombedzi to Masvingo failed to stop at the level crossing, police and the National Railways of Zimbabwe said.
The NRZ said the train was travelling from Triangle to the NRZ Lundi siding when it hit the bus.
“The bus driver failed to observe level crossing rules, which require drivers to stop and check for oncoming trains before proceeding,” the NRZ said in a statement.
Seven adults and two minors died at the scene, according to the NRZ.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed nine fatalities but said 26 people were injured. The NRZ put the number of injured at 25.
“More details will be availed soon as police officers are still attending to the accident,” Nyathi said.
The 25 or 26 injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment, authorities said.
Emergency services including police, ambulances and the fire brigade responded to the scene.
The NRZ extended condolences to the families of the dead and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The parastatal urged motorists to obey level crossing rules to avoid loss of life and injuries.
