Eyewitness recounts horror after Bulawayo–Esigodini Quantum explosion

An eyewitness has described the aftermath of a deadly explosion involving a Toyota Quantum along the Bulawayo–Esigodini Road, saying the bodies were scattered across the roadway and surrounding verges.

Mr Andrew Ncube told Zimpapers that he arrived at the scene shortly after the blast, just past Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage on Thursday afternoon.

He said the situation was chaotic and devastating, with victims lying in different places along the road.

“I first saw the Quantum near Eveline High School when I was looking for buses going to Zvishavane.

The car left ahead of us, and we were delayed by the roadblock. We were alarmed by a convoy that passed us,” Mr Ncube said.

He added that when he reached the accident site, the vehicle was already engulfed in flames.

According to him, members of the public attempted to put out the fire before emergency services arrived.

“People were trying to extinguish the fire,” he said.

Mr Ncube said he saw bodies “thrown all over the place,” with some lying on the sides of the road and others on the road itself.

He reported that two victims—a man and a woman—were still alive when he got there. He said the woman was asking for water while efforts were underway to get help to the injured.

“A man and a woman were breathing and speaking when I arrived.

The lady was asking for water and she was told that she’s going to get assistance.

However, help did not reach her on time until she passed on,” he said.

He further claimed that the woman died moments before an ambulance arrived, which he estimated to be about five minutes after she passed on.

Mr Ncube said that as he moved around the scene, he counted roughly 15 bodies that were visible, although he noted that officials later indicated the death toll could be around 18 or slightly above or below.

He also described the response by multiple emergency teams, including fire brigade units from Bulawayo and Esigodini, as well as nurses who rushed to assist the injured.

He said someone at the scene had repeatedly called for an ambulance as the situation deteriorated.

The cause of the explosion and the final number of casualties remain unconfirmed, with authorities yet to release a comprehensive statement as investigations continue.