A goods train transporting 450,000 litres of diesel from Mozambique was involved in an accident at Mpopoma Station in Bulawayo on Saturday morning, in what officials have described as a “runaway incident.”
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the accident to State media, saying the train had been parked after running out of fuel.
However, it later began to roll on its own when the brakes lost power, eventually colliding with a stationary locomotive at the station. Said Moyo:
“The train ran out of fuel and was left parked overnight. Unfortunately, it gained momentum after the brakes lost power and went straight into another parked locomotive, resulting in the accident. This occurred at Mpopoma Diesel shed”.
He said emergency crews were at the scene, working to drain the remaining fuel and prevent any leaks or fire outbreaks. Added Moyo:
“We are decanting the fuel and pushing the locomotives apart. The process is ongoing and will take some time. The locomotive was pulling about 450,000 litres of diesel.”
No injuries were reported, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the incident.
Pindula WhatsApp Channel
Facebook Page
Leave a Reply