At least 27 people have died after a haulage truck collided head-on with a minibus carrying churchgoers in central Zimbabwe.


The fatal crash occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday near Chivhu, approximately 140 kilometres south of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, according to the police.


Police said the foreign-registered haulage truck was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the minibus, which was transporting worshippers to a church conference.


The exact number of passengers in both vehicles was not immediately known. However, seven people were reportedly injured in the crash.


Footage released by Zimbabwe’s public broadcaster, ZBC, showed the minibus severely damaged and burnt, while the truck came to rest on the opposite side of the road.


The crash occurred on a remote stretch of road surrounded by open terrain and low vegetation.


Road crashes remain a major concern in Zimbabwe, where poor road conditions, including potholes, and unsafe driving practices have been identified as contributing factors to road accidents.


The latest incident adds to a series of fatal road crashes recorded in the country in recent months, underscoring ongoing concerns over road safety and the need for greater caution among motorists, particularly heavy-duty vehicle operators.


Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.