…as President declares accident national disaster
SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released six names of the nine people who died when a Makuku bus was hit by a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) goods train in Chiredzi on Tuesday morning.
The incident which occurred at around 8:30 am at the level crossing on Mbizi Road claimed nine lives leaving 29 with injuries.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the six victims have been identified by their next of kin. He said names of the remaining three victims will be released once they are identified by their relatives.
The names of the six are Knowledge Chivava ,a male adult of Village D Section 64, Triangle, Shepard Shumba (18) a male adult of house number 40 ,Section 64, Triangle, Maria Hlabwani (40) ,a female adult of Village 3, Nyahombe, Tinashe Mushindi ( 18) a male adult of Section 65,Triangle, Chinguvo Lucia (49) , a female adult of Mapepa Village and Mutiza Learnmore (2), a male infant of Section 63 in Triangle.
According to information gathered from well- placed sources, the bus driver might be on the run as police is yet to confirm his whereabouts.
Eye witnesses and some of the survivors said the driver failed to stop at the level crossing with his actions leading to the unfortunate incident.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the accident a national disaster, paving the way for government assistance to affected families and survivors.
The accident happened barely a week after the nation witnessed a fire that burnt seven pupils beyond recognition in Gweru travelling in a kombi from school in Senga.
“It is with a profound sense of shock and deep sorrow that I learn of the horrific collision of a bus and a train at a level crossing in Triangle.
“What makes this incident particularly devastating is the heartbreaking loss of school children, barely a week after we lost seven others in similar circumstances, ” he said.
He said the nation was going to stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during their time of mourning, urging citizens to stand together in support of those affected by the tragedy.
