At least 27 people were killed in a head-on collision between a minibus carrying church members and a haulage truck in central Zimbabwe on Friday evening. The accident occurred around 18:30 GMT near Chivhu, approximately 140 kilometers south of the capital, Harare, according to police officials.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the truck was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the minibus, which was transporting worshippers to a church conference. Both vehicles were carrying an undetermined number of passengers, and authorities reported that seven people survived with injuries.

Footage shared by the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) showed the minibus badly damaged and burned, while the truck came to rest on the opposite side of the road. A provincial government minister quoted by ZBC initially stated that 23 people died at the scene, but the official death toll has since risen to at least 27.

The crash occurred on a relatively flat and remote stretch of road surrounded by low vegetation and open terrain. Road safety is a significant concern in Zimbabwe, where deteriorating infrastructure and pothole-ridden roads pose ongoing hazards. Many Zimbabweans rely on privately operated minibus taxis, commonly known as kombis, for everyday transportation, which often operate under challenging conditions.

This incident adds to a series of deadly road accidents in the country, highlighting the persistent risks associated with road travel in Zimbabwe. Emergency services and local authorities have been involved in responding to the crash and assisting survivors. Investigations into the exact cause and circumstances of the collision are ongoing.