24 Lives Lost in Devastating Crash Near Beitbridge Border
A devastating bus accident near the Beitbridge Border has left 24 people dead after a Zimbabwean South Africa-bound bus collided head-on with a commercial truck.
## **Details of the Fatal Collision**
The accident occurred on Thursday morning, approximately 10 kilometers from the Beitbridge Border, along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway. The Urban Connect bus, traveling towards South Africa, crashed into a Chirundu-bound truck carrying 34 tonnes of magnesium near the Lutumba tollgate.
## **Casualties and Medical Response**
According to Dr. Lenos Samhere, the Beitbridge District Medical Officer, the crash resulted in 24 fatalities. Seventeen people died at the scene, while seven others, who suffered severe head injuries, succumbed to their wounds upon arrival at the hospital. More than 30 injured passengers were admitted to the hospital, with 12 in critical condition.
## **Eyewitness Account of the Tragedy**
Thomas Nhundu, an eyewitness who was driving behind the bus, described the horrific accident. He stated that the crash took place around 7 AM, but emergency responders, including police and health workers, only arrived at approximately 11 AM. He also noted that the ambulance on the scene lacked a stretcher and could only transport three injured passengers at a time.
Nhundu speculated that the bus driver may have been speeding, which could have contributed to the collision.
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
A tragic accident on the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway near Lutumba toll gate resulted in 24 deaths and left 12 people in critical condition. The incident involved a collision between an Urban Connect bus heading to Beitbridge and a truck carrying magnesium to… pic.twitter.com/03UYQcztaA
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 13, 2025
## **Lack of Assistance from Bystanders**
Beyond the tragic loss of life, Nhundu expressed disappointment over the behavior of bystanders, who were more focused on recording videos and taking pictures rather than assisting the injured.
This accident highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety on major highways and the need for better emergency response measures to prevent further tragedies.
