A Victoria Falls-bound National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) passenger train derailed on Sunday night with some passengers escaping with minor injuries.
The accident occurred at Mpopoma Siding, a few kilometres from the main railway station.
Sources who spoke to Radio Dialogue said they had a loud noises and went out to investigate.
“The accident occurred at around 9pm. I was inside the house when I heard a loud noise and I rushed outside to investigate.
“When I got outside I realised the noise was coming from passengers of a passenger train who were scrambling to vacate two of the derailed passenger coaches. Some of the passengers sustained minor injuries,” said the source, who spoke on condition that he is not named.
When a Radio Dialogue news crew visited the scene on Monday morning, NRZ workers were busy fixing the damaged rail and attempting to put back the two coaches back on the track.
Contacted for a comment, NRZ Public Relations Manager, Fanuel Masikati confirmed the accident.
“The accident took place around 9pm on Sunday. It was a minor derailment, the coaches were later put back on the track. There were no injuries,” Masikati said.
In August, 22 passengers escaped with injuries after a Harare-bound passenger train derailed at Heany Junction about 30 kilometres from Bulawayo.
Some of the accidents incurred by the railway operator, are as a result of old locomotives that are almost obsolete.
Most of NRZ’s locomotives are piling up at its workshops in Bulawayo, with few still on the rail.
Source: Radio Dialogue
