A tragic road accident occurred on the morning of Thursday, February 13, 2025, near the Lutumba tollgate along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway in Zimbabwe, resulting in the deaths of 24 individuals.
The collision involved an Urban Connect bus traveling from Harare to Beitbridge and an Auro Transport haulage truck en route to Chirundu. Preliminary investigations suggest that the bus, carrying 65 passengers, was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided head-on with the truck.
According to Beitbridge District Medical Officer Dr. Lenos Samhere, 17 people died at the scene, while seven others succumbed to their injuries upon admission to Beitbridge District Hospital.
Over 30 individuals sustained injuries, with 12 reported to be in critical condition.
In response to the tragedy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed his deep sorrow, declaring the incident a national disaster. He announced that the government would provide state-assisted burials for the victims and urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads to prevent such incidents in the future.
Road accidents are a significant concern in Zimbabwe, often attributed to factors such as speeding and poor road conditions. Despite recent infrastructure improvements, including resurfacing of the accident site, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of road safety measures to reduce such tragic occurrences.
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