At least nine people, including women and children, were killed and several others were injured in Zimbabwe on Tuesday after a train collided with a bus at a level crossing in Chiredzi.
According to the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), the early morning incident occurred after the driver of the bus reportedly disregarded level crossing rules, which require drivers to stop, look and ensure that it is safe before crossing railway tracks.
“Unfortunately, nine passengers in the bus died on the spot. They include seven adults and two minors,” NRZ said in a statement on X.
The agency also reported that several people were injured in the incident, with emergency services transporting the wounded to a nearby health facility for treatment.
“Twenty-five passengers from the bus were taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment,” NRZ said.
“Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event. We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured passengers.”
NRZ subsequently urged Zimbabwean motorists to exercise caution at all level crossings and comply fully with railway safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in future.
Road accidents are frequent in Zimbabwe, with statistics from the country's national road safety authority indicating that a crash occurs roughly every 15 minutes. On average, about five people die, and 38 others are injured daily. Authorities have attributed approximately 94 per cent of these accidents to human error.
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Africa has the world’s highest estimated road traffic fatality rate at 26.6 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with a global average of 17.5, 17.0 in South-east Asia and 9.3 in Europe. Pedestrians, ECA says, account for about 38 per cent of road deaths in Africa, while car occupants make up around 43 per cent, with wide differences between countries.
Kenya has not been spared from the crisis. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), more than 2,100 people have been killed on the country’s roads so far in 2026, representing an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Last year, a total of 3,005 road deaths were recorded nationwide, highlighting the scale of the problem.
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