A serene travel experience transformed into chaos on Friday as a South African luxury train, carrying foreign tourists to Zimbabwe for Easter, collided with a freight train near Gwanda. The collision resulted in several injuries and the derailing of multiple carriages, raising concerns about rail safety in the region.
The luxurious Rovos Rail service, renowned for its opulent journeys from Pretoria to the picturesque Victoria Falls, became the centre of attention after the incident. Liezl Maclean, a spokesperson for Rovos Rail, confirmed that the collision took place with a Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway freight train, sending carriages off the tracks.
While the immediate focus turned to the injury reports, Maclean stated that none of the tour guests on board were injured—expressing relief for the tourists’ safety but adding that some were being kept under observation as a precautionary measure. “There were no injuries in terms of the guests that we are aware of,” she told AFP.
However, conflicting reports emerged from a local rail employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing that as many as 18 individuals were injured in the collision. According to this source, 14 injured persons were transported to Gwanda Provincial Hospital, whereas four individuals remained at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo. Further details about the injured—including whether they were passengers or crew members—remain unclear.
Witnesses and social media users shared harrowing images of the aftermath, depicting rescue workers navigating through the wreckage to assist the injured. Some images showed a stretcher-bearer carrying a man amidst the twisted remains of the train’s carriage, offering a glimpse of the chaos that followed the collision.
This incident follows a series of operational concerns within South Africa’s rail network, highlighting the importance of safety protocols, especially on journeys catering to tourists seeking memorable experiences. The collision in a remote part of Zimbabwe poses questions about the state of railway infrastructure and operational standards along this much-frequented travel route.
As investigations into the incident unfold, both Rovos Rail and the relevant authorities will be under scrutiny to ensure that such an accident does not occur in the future.