Source: Horror as Quantum blast leaves up to 18 feared dead – herald
H-Metro Reporter
A horrific explosion involving a Toyota Quantum along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway yesterday afternoon left up to 18 people feared dead, with eyewitnesses describing a scene of scattered bodies, burning wreckage and desperate rescue attempts.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the fatal incident, saying the commuter omnibus burst into flames between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate between 1pm and 2pm as investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.
In a brief statement, police said: “The ZRP reports the death of +/- 18 people when a kombi exploded into fire between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate along Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road between 1300 hours and 1400 hours today. More details to be released in due course.”
Eyewitness recalls horror scene
An eyewitness, Andrew Ncube, who arrived shortly after the blast, said what he saw was deeply disturbing. “When I arrived at the scene of the accident, there were bodies thrown all over the place. Some were on the sides of the road whilst two were on the road,” he said.He said amid the devastation, two victims — a man and a woman — were still alive when he got there, with the woman pleading for water.
“The lady was asking for water. We were told help was coming, but she passed on before the ambulance arrived,” said Ncube.
He added that he counted about 15 bodies at the scene, although officials later indicated that the death toll could be as high as 18.
Vehicle seen before blast
Ncube said he had seen the Quantum earlier near Eveline High School before it sped ahead.
“The vehicle went ahead of us, but we were delayed by a roadblock. Later we were alarmed by a convoy that passed us,” he said.Moments later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Emergency response rushed in
He said members of the public initially attempted to put out the fire before fire brigade units from Bulawayo and Esigodini arrived. Nurses and other emergency responders later joined the rescue efforts.
Police and military personnel have since joined the Bulawayo Fire Brigade in combing nearby bushland for possible victims, amid fears that some bodies may have been thrown far from the impact site due to the force of the blast.
The area has been cordoned off, with parts believed to be explosive remnants reportedly found a few metres from the wreckage — raising suspicions that the vehicle may have been transporting explosives, although authorities have not confirmed this.
Probe underway
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the incident, saying teams had been deployed to the scene.
“We have dispatched a team to the scene, and we shall get more details in due course,” he said.
Investigators from the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the army are now working to establish the exact cause of the explosion. A private contractor has also been brought in to open a detour to ease traffic flow while investigations continue.
Authorities say the impact of the blast was so severe that at least one body was found nearly 100 metres from the wreckage, suggesting the force of the explosion was extremely powerful.
By last night, the burnt-out shell of the Quantum remained at the centre of the cordoned-off area as recovery operations continued.
The exact number of passengers and the cause of the explosion remain unconfirmed.
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