Bongani Ndlovu
Bongani Ndlovu, Deputy Echo Editor
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have said that the bodies of the nine people who drowned when a Toyota Noah was swept off the Tshangamutope River bridge in the Mulula area, Filabusi, Matabeleland South province on Thursday night have been retrieved and ferried to Filabusi District Hospital.
The number who have died is actually, nine people, not eight as previously reported.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi told Zimpapers that the victims comprise five adult females, two adult males, one female juvenile, and a male toddler.
“Two of the victims have been positively identified, while efforts to identify the remaining seven are ongoing,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi said the tragedy occurred after the driver, reportedly the vehicle owner, disembarked to assess the water level and left the keys in the ignition.
“One of the passengers then drove the vehicle into the flooded bridge, where it was swept away and submerged, trapping all occupants,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi said the bodies were retrieved on Thursday with the help of local residents and taken to Filabusi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Online Reporter