BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, May 23 (NewsDay Live) — At least 10 people are feared dead after a commuter omnibus carrying Roman Catholic pilgrims plunged into the Deka River near Hwange this Saturday morning, witnesses and rescue officials said.
Five survivors, including three children and the driver, were rushed to hospital in critical condition following the crash.
The kombi, carrying 15 passengers from Makwa to Hwange, reportedly veered off the Deka Bridge and plunged into the river after the driver allegedly lost control due to brake failure.
“When I arrived at the scene, the accident had just happened. The kombi was almost submerged in the river. Some bodies had already been recovered from the river,” an eyewitness told NewsDay.
Rescue teams from Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company and the Hwange Local Board were conducting recovery operations late Thursday.
Reports from the scene indicated that eight bodies had been recovered, while two people were believed to still be trapped inside the submerged vehicle.
The injured survivors were taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital for treatment, with some listed in critical condition.
Police said they could not immediately confirm details of the incident.
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The victims were believed to be returning from a Roman Catholic church gathering at the time of the crash.
