Government Clarifies Number Of Victims Of West Nicholson Accident, 32 Died

The government is calling on the relatives of victims of West Nicholson Bus Disaster to be patient while the government carries out DNA tests to ascertain the identity of the victims. The accident occurred close to West Nicholson and preliminary investigations point to a gas leak from a cylinder which caught fire, causing the blaze. Most of the people who died were burnt beyond recognition.

The process is expected to be carried out over a two week period. Government health officials are being assisted by the National University of Science and Technology. The government has also moved to clarify that the number of people who were killed in the accident is 32, and not the 42 previously reported. The Minister of Local Government and National Housing July Moyo said

My civil protection committees, due to the nature and complexity of the disaster are seized with the matter to ensure that the DNA tests would be expeditiously done and concluded, since his Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has declared the bus accident a state of disaster.

I am informed that the DNA tests being currently carried out by pathologists would result in the correct bodies positively identified by the relatives notwithstanding that it will take at least two weeks before the actual burials are done. I kindly urge the relatives of the deceased to be mindful of this necessary process which will ultimately delay burial but with positive results.

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