Three National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) employees tragically lost their lives in a train derailment and subsequent fire on Monday.
The incident occurred at the zero-kilometer peg along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Railway Line near the Forbes Border Post in Mutare.
The deceased have been identified as Tasunungurwa Mapuranga (49), Enock Tawabarira, and Pride Femerepi. According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the three individuals were trapped inside a goods train engine hauling 14 wagons when it derailed and caught fire.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the locomotive, which was pulling 14 wagons laden with nine export chrome concentrates and five granite blocks may have suffered a brake failure leading to a runaway which culminated in the train failing to negotiate a sharp curve thereby falling into the gorge,” NRZ said in a statement.
“Sadly, three NRZ crews were trapped and could not make it to safety. The NRZ would like to express sincere condolences to the families of the hardworking, dedicated crew members who shall always be remembered by the railways family.”
