HWANGE, Zimbabwe, May 23 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwe Republic Police have confirmed that eight Roman Catholic pilgrims died after a commuter omnibus plunged into the Deka River near Hwange on Friday morning.
The crash occurred at Deka Bridge along Deka Road at around 7 a.m. as the group was returning from overnight prayers.
Police said the kombi was carrying 13 occupants when the driver lost control and the vehicle plunged off the bridge into the river.
“The ZRP reports a fatal road traffic accident at Deka Bridge along Deka Road, Hwange. Eight Roman Catholic members died when their kombi plunged into the bridge as they were coming from night prayers,” police said in a statement.
NewsDay had earlier reported, based on eyewitness accounts, that the kombi was carrying 15 passengers.
Five survivors, including three children and the driver, were rescued from the river and rushed to Hwange Colliery Hospital, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue teams from Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company and the Hwange Local Board were deployed to assist with recovery operations.
The District Civil Protection Committee was also activated to coordinate emergency response efforts.
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Police said investigations were continuing and more details would be released once all victims and survivors had been accounted for.
