ROVOS RAIL CRASHES INTO LOCOMOTIVE IN ZIMBABWE
The Rovos Rail train has collided with a freight train in Zimbabwe operated by the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway service.
The incident took place in Zimbabwe’s southern town of Gwanda.
The luxury train was on its way with 47 passengers to Victoria Falls for the Easter holiday. The route consists of 1,400 kilometres covered over three to four nights from Pretoria in South Africa to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
Liezl Maclean, a spokesperson for Rovos Rail, confirmed that four crew members sustained injuries. No passengers were injured, but as part of precautionary measures, all the passengers underwent medical checks.
The cause of the collision is yet to be confirmed as investigations remain ongoing.
Photos shared on social media showed rescue workers opening the roof of one of the Rovos Rail compartments to enter.
Railway Supply reports that, founded in 1989, Rovos promotes its trains as “bespoke safaris”, operating across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. This incident in Zimbabwe has prompted concerns about railway safety across regional networks.
Image credit: The Witness