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Zimbabwe crossing crash kills 34 | Zimbabwe crossing crash kills 34 |
(1 day later) | |
At least 34 people have been killed after a commuter bus and freight train collided at a rail crossing in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, police say. | |
They say the accident happened during the morning rush hour in Dzivarasekwa, on the city's western outskirts. | They say the accident happened during the morning rush hour in Dzivarasekwa, on the city's western outskirts. |
The victims were all in the bus, which witnesses said was overloaded with passengers, mostly market traders. | The victims were all in the bus, which witnesses said was overloaded with passengers, mostly market traders. |
It is believed that the bus driver - who also died - was speeding and ignored the train's siren. | It is believed that the bus driver - who also died - was speeding and ignored the train's siren. |
Police said most of those killed were thought to have been women market traders carrying their goods to Mbare Musika - Harare's main market. | Police said most of those killed were thought to have been women market traders carrying their goods to Mbare Musika - Harare's main market. |
"It's a sad loss of lives that could have been avoided," police spokesman Andrew Phiri told the AFP news agency. | "It's a sad loss of lives that could have been avoided," police spokesman Andrew Phiri told the AFP news agency. |
"In this case, it appears the driver tried to beat the train, resulting in the crash," he said. | "In this case, it appears the driver tried to beat the train, resulting in the crash," he said. |
At least 27 people died at the scene of the accident, while the others died of their injuries at a local hospital. | At least 27 people died at the scene of the accident, while the others died of their injuries at a local hospital. |
A police investigation into the incident is under way. | A police investigation into the incident is under way. |
There has been a spate of deadly road accidents in Zimbabwe recently, many of which have been blamed on careless driving and mechanical failures. | There has been a spate of deadly road accidents in Zimbabwe recently, many of which have been blamed on careless driving and mechanical failures. |
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