A bus carrying worshipers carrying worshipers in a mountainous region of eastern Zimbabwe plunged into a ravine, killing 35 people in the early hours of Friday morning, the Associated Press reported.
Police said the bus, carrying more than 106 passengers, veered off a winding road near Chimanimani and plunged into a deep ravine. State television station ZBC reported that the accident occurred near Chipinge district in Manicaland district, eastern Zimbabwe.
The bus was carrying members of the Zion Christian Church, a local denomination known for holding regular pilgrimages, attended by thousands of people.
Bus accidents are frequent in the South African country, with some drivers overloading their vehicles and exceeding the speed limit. The poor condition of Zimbabwe’s roads has also been blamed for contributing to accidents.
The roads in Zimbabwe are particularly crowded during the Easter period, a major holiday in this predominantly Christian country as people embark on perilous journeys in rickety buses and trucks to gather for days.
AOQ