A minibus packed with schoolchildren catches fire in central Zimbabwe, killing 7
Police said 24 children were aboard and an investigation is underway after the blaze renewed concerns over overcrowded school transport.
- A minibus carrying Twenty-four children caught fire in Gweru, Zimbabwe on Wednesday afternoon, killing seven schoolchildren, authorities said. ZBC News reported some children escaped the blaze while others trapped inside perished.
- Initial examination suggests a jerry can of petrol kept in the minibus fueled the fire, renewing concerns about overcrowded Private minibuses used for school runs in Zimbabwe.
- Authorities say human error accounts for over 90% of crashes in Zimbabwe, where road accidents involving minibuses are common and vehicles frequently exceed the legal capacity of 15 passengers.
- Local media reported the driver and conductor were taken to a hospital following the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed the total number of injured as rescue crews and firefighters worked the scene.
- Across Africa, road crashes kill an estimated 300,000 people annually, with The World Health Organization estimating nearly 30 road deaths per 100,000 people each year, underscoring Zimbabwe's crisis within a regional pattern.
20 Articles
20 Articles
7 killed in minibus fire in Zimbabwe
A minibus packed with schoolchildren caught fire in central Zimbabwe Wednesday afternoon, killing seven, authorities said. Twenty-four children were on board when the vehicle burst into flames in the city of Gweru, according to a police statement, adding that an investigation was underway, but initial examination suggested a jerry can of petrol kept in the minibus may have fueled the fire. Authorities didn’t immediately share the number of the i…
‘NEGLIGENCE’ LEADS TO TRAGEDY AS SEVEN PUPILS DIE IN KOMBI . . . Authorities have said the kombi was carrying 23 pupils . . . They say there was a 10-litre fuel container in the kombi – herald
Source: ‘NEGLIGENCE’ LEADS TO TRAGEDY AS SEVEN PUPILS DIE IN KOMBI . . . Authorities have said the kombi was carrying 23 pupils . . . They say there was a 10-litre fuel container in the kombi – herald Patrick Chitumba in GWERU THE tragedy, in which seven primary school pupils died after being burnt beyond recognition after a kombi they were travelling in caught fire here yesterday, was caused by NEGLIGENCE, a top official has said. Authorities s…
Seven schoolchildren killed in Zimbabwe minibus fire Seven children died in a minibus fire in the city of Gweru. The cause of the tragedy was previously thought to be a damaged gas cylinder in the car's interior.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
