By Desire Tshuma
GWANDA — What began as an ordinary Thursday afternoon journey ended in tragedy when a Toyota Quantum kombi caught fire and exploded along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road, killing all 18 people on board, according to police.
The accident happened between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM near the Much Binding area, between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate. Police say the vehicle burst into flames before a powerful explosion ripped through it, leaving a mangled, burnt-out shell on the roadside.
Initial police assessments suggest the kombi may have been carrying explosives at the time, but investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of both the fire and the blast.
Images from the scene show the wreckage strewn across the tarred highway as shocked motorists and villagers gathered, some attempting to assist before emergency services arrived. Debris from the vehicle was scattered several meters from the main shell.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road is one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways, linking the country to South Africa and carrying heavy passenger and commercial traffic daily. Thursday’s incident brought traffic to a standstill as authorities cordoned off the area.
Police have not yet released the names of the deceased, saying next of kin must be notified first. The process of identifying victims is expected to be difficult due to the intensity of the fire.
“Police are still investigating and more details will be shared soon,”
This incident adds to a series of fatal road accidents involving public transport vehicles on major highways. Authorities have previously warned against the illegal transportation of hazardous materials in passenger vehicles, though it is not yet confirmed if that was the case here.
Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the accident or who may have information about the kombi’s route and cargo to come forward as investigations continue.
Traffic was later diverted as forensic teams and fire experts combed the scene for evidence. The remains of the victims were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary.
The Ministry of Transport and police are expected to issue a comprehensive statement once preliminary investigations are complete.This is a developing story.