Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
THREE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers died on Monday night after a goods train they were travelling on developed a brake failure and could not negotiate a sharp curve before plunging into a gorge.
In a statement yesterday, the company confirmed the incident, which occurred at about 9pm between Mutare and Machipanda on the border with Mozambique.
The deceased workers have been identified as Engineman Tasunungurwa Mapuranga, Pride Femerepi a security escort, and Enock Tawabarira. NRZ said investigations were still underway to determine the exact cause of the mishap.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the locomotive, which was pulling 14 wagons laden with nine export chrome concentrates and five granite blocks, may have developed a brake failure leading to the runaway, which culminated in the train failing to negotiate a sharp curve thereby falling into the gorge,” reads the statement.
“Sadly the three NRZ crews were trapped and could not make it to safety.”
Meanwhile, the NRZ board and management expressed shock over the incident and conveyed its condolences to the affected families, describing the train crew as “hardworking, and dedicated”.
“Our thoughts are with their families and we pray for God to comfort and strengthen them in these very difficult times.
“Investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, after which full details will be disclosed,” said NRZ. – @flora_sibanda.
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