HARARE - At least 47 people were killed in Zimbabwe on Wednesday when two buses collided on a road between the capital Harare and the southeastern town of Rusape, police confirmed to AFP.

"We confirm 47 people have died in a road traffic accident at the 166-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway," police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

In a post on Twitter, the state-run Herald newspaper said pictures from the scene were too graphic to post.</s>HARARE, Zimbabwe — Two long-distance buses in Zimbabwe have collided on a road after one of them tried to overtake two trucks, killing at least 47 people and injuring dozens more in a country with a reputation for poor roads and bad driving.

The two buses slammed into each other near Rusape, about 100 miles east of the capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening, said a police spokesman, Paul Nyathi. The death toll could rise because 80 people were admitted to the hospital, some with serious injuries.

One bus tried to pass two large trucks on a stretch of the road where overtaking is prohibited, causing the collision, the state broadcaster reported, citing Ellen Gwaradzimba, the provincial minister for Manicaland Province. Both buses were speeding, she said.

The number of dead has overwhelmed Rusape, where the morgue can accommodate no more than 16 bodies, according to The Herald, a state-run newspaper.</s>At least 47 people have died in a crash involving two buses near the Rusape tollgate in Zimbabwe, state broadcaster ZBC reported on Wednesday.

Police have so far identified 47 bodies at the accident scene, ZBC reported, citing a spokesperson for the police department.

"We confirm 47 people have died in a road traffic accident at the 166km peg along the Harare-Mutare highway," police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.</s>Forty-seven people were killed in Zimbabwe Wednesday when two buses collided on a road between the capital Harare and the eastern town of Rusape, police told AFP.

“We confirm 47 people have died in a road traffic accident at the 166-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway,” police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

On Twitter, the state-run Herald newspaper said pictures from the scene were too graphic to post.

Related: Three killed, eight injured in road accident in Hyderabad

The paper said the morgue at the local public hospital in Rusape had run out of space and sought help from a private funeral parlour to take in some of the corpses.

Traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, where roads are riddled with potholes due to years of underfunding and neglect, but the highway where the accident occurred had been recently resurfaced.

In June last year, 43 people were killed in a bus crash in the north of the country, along the highway leading to neighbouring Zambia.

Related: 21 killed, 40 injured after two passenger buses collide in DG Khan

Deputy Transport Minister Fortune Chasi said the government will take steps to curb the road carnage.

“Totally needless loss of lives. This event should be the last before stern measures are taken,” he tweeted, promising to rein in public service vehicles and their owners.</s>Head on collision between 2 buses kills 47 in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A head-on collision between two buses has killed 47 people, where road accidents are common due to poor roads and bad driving.

Two long distance buses going opposite directions collided near Rusape, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of the capital Harare on Wednesday evening, said police spokesman Paul Nyathi. The death toll could rise because there 80 others admitted to hospital, some with serious injuries.

One of the buses tried to pass two haulage trucks on a stretch of the road where overtaking is prohibited, resulting in the collision with an oncoming bus, Ellen Gwaradzimba, the provincial minister for Manicaland province, told the state broadcaster. Both buses were speeding, she said.

The number of dead bodies have overwhelmed the small town's morgue, which can only accommodate up to 16 bodies, reported the state-run Herald newspaper.

Bus accidents are frequent in this southern African country, where speeding often means more money for bus crews that compete for customers and try to make as many trips as possible per day.

The road where the accident happened was recently resurfaced as part of government attempts at rehabilitating collapsing road infrastructure.</s>Head on collision between 2 buses kills 47 in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A head-on collision between two buses has killed 47 people, where road accidents are common due to poor roads and bad driving.

Two long distance buses going opposite directions collided near Rusape, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of the capital Harare on Wednesday evening, said police spokesman Paul Nyathi. He said the death toll could rise because there are others with serious injuries.

The state-run Herald newspaper reported that the number of dead bodies have overwhelmed the small town's morgue, which can only accommodate up to 16 bodies.

Bus accidents are frequent in this southern African country, where speeding often means more money for bus crews that compete for customers and try to make as many trips as possible per day.

The road where the accident happened was recently resurfaced as part of government attempts at rehabilitating collapsing road infrastructure.</s>Forty-seven people were killed in Zimbabwe on Wednesday when two buses collided on a road between the capital Harare and the southeastern town of Rusape, police confirmed to AFP.

“We confirm 47 people have died in a road traffic accident at the 166-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway,” police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

In a post on Twitter, the state-run Herald newspaper said pictures from the scene were too graphic to post.

Traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, where roads are riddled with potholes due to years of underfunding and neglect, but the highway where the accident occurred had been recently resurfaced.

In June last year, 43 people were killed in a bus crash in the north of the country, along the highway leading to neighbouring Zambia. DM

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Every Daily Maverick article and every Scorpio exposé are our contribution to this unshakeable mission. It is by far the most effective investment into South Africa's future.

Join our mission to become a Maverick Insider. Together we can Defend Truth.</s>Scores of people have been killed after a collision between two buses in Zimbabwe.

Scores of people have been killed after a collision between two buses in Zimbabwe.

Two long distance buses going in opposite directions collided near Rusape, about 105 miles east of the capital Harare on Wednesday evening.

One of the buses tried to pass two haulage lorries on a stretch of the road where overtaking is prohibited, resulting in the collision with an oncoming bus, Ellen Gwaradzimba, the provincial minister for Manicaland province, said.

The buses swerved to avoid a head-on collision but their sides collided. Both buses were speeding, police said.

The number of bodies has overwhelmed the small town’s morgue, which can only accommodate up to 16 bodies, reported the state-run Herald newspaper.

Bus accidents are frequent in the country, where speeding often means more money for crews that compete for customers and try to make as many trips as possible per day.

The road where the accident happened was recently resurfaced as part of government attempts at improving collapsing road infrastructure.</s>A head-on collision between two buses has killed 47 people in Zimbabwe.

Shocking pictures showed bodies strewn along the road next to the mangled coaches.

The long distance buses collided near Rusape, about 100 miles east of the capital Harare, while one was overtaking.

The death toll could rise because 80 were admitted to hospital, some with serious injuries.

One of the buses tried to pass two haulage trucks on a stretch of the road where overtaking is prohibited, resulting in the collision with an oncoming bus. Both buses were speeding.

Corpses have overwhelmed the small town's morgue, which can only accommodate up to 16 bodies, reported the state-run Herald newspaper.

Bus accidents are frequent in Zimbabwe, where speeding often means more money for bus crews that compete for customers and try to make as many trips as possible per day.

The road where the accident happened was recently resurfaced as part of government attempts at rehabilitating collapsing road infrastructure.

One of the buses tried to pass two haulage trucks on a stretch of the road where overtaking is prohibited, resulting in the collision with an oncoming bus. Both buses were speeding</s>(Reuters) - At least 47 people have died in a crash involving two buses near the Rusape tollgate in Zimbabwe, state broadcaster ZBC reported bit.ly/2ARq4XI on Wednesday.

Police have so far identified 47 bodies at the accident scene, ZBC reported, citing a spokesperson for the police department.
A pair of buses collide on a road between Harare and Rusape, Zimbabwe, killing at least 47 people.