Minibus crash in Zimbabwe kills at least 27 church members

A minibus carrying members of a church collided head-on with a haulage truck in central Zimbabwe, resulting in at least 27 fatalities, according to police. The incident occurred at approximately 18:30 GMT on Friday near Chivhu, located about 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Harare. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi reported that the truck was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the crash occurred. State-run broadcaster ZBC News, citing a provincial government minister, indicated that 23 individuals died at the scene, while others later died from their injuries at a local hospital. Footage shared on social media by ZBC depicted the severely damaged minibus, which was left charred, alongside the truck on the opposite side of the road. The crash took place on a flat, remote stretch of road characterized by low vegetation and open terrain. This incident is part of a series of deadly accidents on Zimbabwean roads, which are often in poor condition due to years of neglect and potholes. Many Zimbabweans depend on privately operated minibus taxis, known as kombis, for transportation, although these vehicles are frequently criticized for being overloaded. Earlier incidents this year included a minibus fire in April that killed at least 18 people and another crash that resulted in the deaths of a woman and her five children.