GWERU — Police have begun the process of verifying the identities of seven pupils who died when a commuter omnibus caught fire in Senga suburb on Wednesday....
GWERU — Police have begun the process of verifying the identities of seven pupils who died when a commuter omnibus caught fire in Senga suburb on Wednesday.
The victims, made up of two boys and five girls from Matongo Primary School, were among pupils travelling in the vehicle when the tragedy occurred. Authorities said investigations into the incident are continuing.
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Officer Commanding Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands Province, Commissioner Patson Nyabadza, urged parents and guardians to remain patient as police work to positively identify the deceased pupils before releasing official information.
“Right now we are consolidating names and surnames of pupils who were in the commuter omnibus. We will have full facts by tomorrow morning,” Commissioner Nyabadza said.
The police chief appealed to parents who had gathered at the school and nearby areas seeking information about their children to return home and report to Senga Police Station on Thursday morning, where verified details would be made available.
Commissioner Nyabadza also clarified reports regarding injuries among the children. He said no pupil had been taken to hospital following the incident.
However, the driver of the commuter omnibus and his conductor sustained injuries during the fire and were admitted to hospital for treatment.
According to preliminary reports, the vehicle was carrying 21 pupils when it left Matongo Primary School. Most of the children on board were reportedly enrolled in Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes.
The commuter omnibus is reported to have caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre shortly after departing from the school. Members of the public rushed to assist the children and managed to rescue several of them.
Despite the rescue efforts, seven pupils succumbed to the fire. The remaining children were assisted by members of the public who responded to the emergency.
Police officers and other Government officials remained at the scene throughout Wednesday as investigations into the cause of the fire continued.
Authorities said a comprehensive report will be released once all victims have been positively identified and their families have been formally notified.
More details are expected to emerge as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding one of the deadliest school transport tragedies to hit Gweru in recent years.
