Eight Dead, Dozens Injured as Bus Carrying Churchgoers Catches Fire in Zimbabwe

Police in Zimbabwe reported on Monday that eight people died and dozens were injured when a bus carrying churchgoers caught fire on its way back from an annual gathering.

According to police spokesman Paul Nyathi, the bus was carrying dozens of Anglican pilgrims when the blaze occurred, causing eight people to be “burnt beyond recognition”.

Nyathi also said more than 50 people were injured, with 14 hospitalised.

We were unable to identify who exactly died, and DNA should be carried out first. Two people are also missing, he said.

We are still conducting investigations to ascertain the cause of the accident, and more details will then be released, Nyathi added.

The churchgoers were returning to Manicaland province after attending the Bernard Mizeki Annual Festival in Marondera, a small town near Harare, which attracts more than 20,000 congregants worldwide.

Reverend Edwin Selemani of the Anglican Church said in a statement that he wished “healing to the injured and comfort to the bereaved”.

“May God grant rest to the souls of the departed,” he said 

Source: AFP

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