A tragic head-on collision in Zimbabwe involving a bus and a truck resulted in the deaths of 24 individuals on Thursday, as reported by local authorities.

According to police spokesperson Paul Nyathi, the incident occurred near Beitbridge, a town situated on the southern border with South Africa. The bus, which was making its way from the capital city of Harare to Beitbridge, was carrying 65 passengers at the time of the crash. Initial investigations suggest that the bus attempted to overtake another vehicle just before colliding with the truck. Nyathi indicated that there is currently no information on the number of injuries resulting from the accident.

Images released by state media depicted covered bodies on the ground alongside the wreckage of both the bus and the truck. The state-supported Herald newspaper reported statements from a government medical officer in Beitbridge, who confirmed that 17 people lost their lives at the crash site, while 7 others succumbed to head injuries after being transported to a local hospital. Furthermore, it was noted that approximately 30 individuals sustained injuries and were receiving medical care.

In response to the tragedy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed deep sorrow and shock, declaring the crash a national disaster. He announced that the government would cover all funeral and burial costs for the victims. “Our nation does not deserve this at all, let alone experiencing such a bloody incident at the beginning of the year,” Mnangagwa stated, urging drivers to practice “extreme caution on the roads.”

Road traffic accidents involving buses are a recurring issue in Zimbabwe. Many drivers frequently violate speed limits in a bid to maximize the number of trips they can complete in a single day. Additionally, the condition of the roads contributes to the danger, although the particular road where the collision occurred had recently been resurfaced as part of government efforts to improve infrastructure.