Online Reporter
AT least 10 people reportedly died after a Toyota Quantum they were traveling in and believed to be transporting explosives suddenly burst into flames in the middle of the road at Much Binding outside Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the accident.
“We have dispatched a team to the scene, and I can confirm the reports of the incident. We shall get more details in due course,” said Mr Moyo.
Sources said the scene is horrific and there are at least 10 people who have died.
A Zimpapers news crew is now on the ground and will be giving us live updates
Police, Army and Fire Brigade comb bush as 10 feared dead in Quantum blast
Police and military personnel have joined the Bulawayo Fire Brigade on the scene at Much Binding, combing nearby bushland for bodies following the suspected explosives blast that left at least 10 people feared dead.
The area of the blast has now been cordoned off after some explosive fuselage were seen a few metres from a crate that was formed because of the blast.
At least 10 people reportedly died after a Toyota Quantum they were traveling in and believed to be transporting explosives suddenly burst into flames in the middle of the road at Much Binding outside Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon.
Up to 18 people feared dead in suspected Quantum explosive: Police
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said plus or minus 18 people are feared dead after an explosion involving a Quantum along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge highway on Thursday afternoon, with details still emerging.
In a brief statement online, police said the incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate between 1PM and 2PM.
“Breaking news: 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,” said the police.
Detour opened as investigators probe fatal crash
A private contractor has been summoned to open a kilometre-long detour to allow traffic to flow as investigators from the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the national army conduct investigations into the cause of a horrific road accident that claimed multiple lives.
The investigations are aimed at establishing the exact cause of the crash, which left the Quantum vehicle reduced to a mangled shell and killed all the occupants on board.
The impact of the collision and subsequent explosion was so severe that members of the fire brigade discovered one of the victims’ bodies nearly 100 metres away from the wreckage, despite a thick forest of tall trees along the roadside. This has led investigators to believe that the body may have been propelled over the trees by the force of the blast.
A brief statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police indicated that approximately 18 people were believed to have been aboard the vehicle at the time of the accident.
