At least 18 people are feared dead after a Toyota Quantuma caught fire following an explosion along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road on Thursday afternoon, police have said.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the vehicle caught fire between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate between 1 pm and 2 pm.
“The ZRP reports the death of approximately 18 people when a kombi exploded into fire between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road between 1300 hours and 1400 hours today. More details will be released in due course,” police said.
Security forces and emergency services were deployed to the scene at an area known as Much Binding, where the blast occurred.
Police and military personnel joined the Bulawayo Fire Brigade in combing nearby bushland for bodies following what authorities described as a suspected explosives blast.
The area has since been cordoned off after fragments believed to be part of explosive material were found a few metres from a crater formed by the explosion.
The vehicle is believed to have been transporting explosives when it suddenly burst into flames in the middle of the road, according to preliminary reports.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion or the intended destination of the cargo.
The Bulawayo–Beitbridge highway is a major transport route linking Zimbabwe to South Africa and has previously been the scene of fatal accidents. In 2018, more than 40 people were killed when a gas cylinder exploded on a bus travelling along the same road.