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Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected] 

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is expected to send a team to assess the accident scene where 24 people lost their lives on the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway on Thursday morning, following concerns over the potential presence of magnesium at the site.

Zimbabwe awoke to the tragic news of a head-on collision between an Urban Connect bus and an Auro Transport haulage truck at the Lutumba Tollgate, approximately 25 kilometres from Beitbridge Town.

The horrific accident occurred at around 7:00 AM along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway. Seventeen people died on the spot, while seven others succumbed to their injuries upon admission to Beitbridge District Hospital.

It is believed that the haulage truck involved in the collision was carrying magnesium, a mineral that could pose environmental and health risks if spilled.

“Our team will have to go on the ground for a status report to ascertain if the truck was really carrying magnesium because, at this moment, it is still speculation that a mineral could have been spilled at the crash site,” said Ms Amkela Sidange, EMA’s Environmental Education and Publicity Manager.

EMA is responsible for cleaning up and treating sites where chemicals or minerals are spilled after accidents to safeguard the environment, livestock, wildlife, and humans.

In response to the tragedy, President Mnangagwa has declared the Beitbridge accident, which claimed 24 lives on Thursday morning, a National Disaster. The President also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.