GWANDA – Relatives of dozens of people killed after a bus caught fire in West Nicholson on Thursday night “will bury ashes”, a minister admitted on Friday as the full horror of the disaster became clear.
The Brooklyn Express bus, carrying about 70 cross-border shoppers, was on its way to Musina in neighbouring South Africa when it exploded in a fireball apparently caused by a gas cylinder in the luggage.
Matabeleland South police spokesman Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said owing to the intensity of the fire, some forensic work may be necessary to determine the exact number of dead.
At least 42 people were unaccounted for, all feared dead.
Dr Rutendo Manyathi, the acting medical superintendent at Gwanda Provincial Hospital, said 27 people suffered varying degrees of burns, with three being referred to Bulawayo for specialist treatment.
Deputy Transport Minister Fortune Chasi blamed the bus crew for the tragedy, which comes barely two weeks after two buses collided killing 50 people in Rusape.
“Very sad day again for Zimbabwe. The human element confirms its uppermost place as a cause of accidents,” Chasi said on Twitter, blaming the crew for allowing a gas cylinder onboard.
“It’s tragic that our people will perish this way, leaving families to bury ashes.”
The bus, whose passengers on the route are typically small business owners going to South Africa to restock, left Zvishavane on Thursday evening and had stopped in Filabusi to pick up more passengers.
Their journey ended in a most horrific scene as trapped passengers were burnt alive.
Survivors said a smell of gas on the bus had prompted one passenger to inform the bus crew, and the conductor had made the fatal decision of turning on the light. The electric spark is thought to have ignited the gas and the whole bus was engulfed in flames.
Bus driver, Ndabazinhle Sikhosana, suffered minor burns and was among the survivors.
He told journalists that some of those who survived had jumped out of windows.
Gas is in short supply in Zimbabwe, or simply too expensive which has forced locals to carry their gas tanks for refilling in neighbouring countries.
A shortage of basic commodities in shops has also forced Zimbabweans to buy their groceries in South Africa and Botswana, often travelling overnight when the borders are less busy.
