A terrifying accident took place on Friday when a South African luxury train, the Rovos Rail, collided with a freight train while traveling through Zimbabwe.
The incident, which occurred as the train was carrying foreign tourists to Victoria Falls for Easter, led to the derailment of several carriages and injuries to multiple people on board.
Injuries Reported but Tourists Remain Unscathed
According to Rovos Rail spokeswoman Liezl Maclean, four crew members on board the luxury train were injured in the crash.
However, she clarified that, at least to their knowledge, none of the tourists were harmed, though some were kept under observation following the incident.
Despite the initial reassurance, a local rail employee, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the total number of injuries stood at 18.
These injuries were spread across both the crew and passengers, though it’s unclear how many of the injured were tourists or crew members.
Four of the injured were taken to the hospital in Bulawayo, while 14 were admitted to Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
Rescue Efforts Capture the Gravity of the Situation
Social media quickly became flooded with images showing the aftermath of the collision.
In one, rescue workers were seen carrying an injured man on a stretcher, navigating through the wreckage.
The severity of the crash was clear from the images, with the mangled roof of the train making it difficult for rescuers to reach the victims.
The Train’s Route and the Cause of the Accident
The accident took place near the town of Gwanda, located in southern Zimbabwe, where the Rovos Rail collided with a freight train operated by the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway service.
The luxury train had at least 47 tourists on board at the time. While the exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, the crash has left many questions unanswered.
About Rovos Rail and Its Popular Victoria Falls Journey
Rovos Rail, established in 1989, is renowned for offering “bespoke train safaris through the heart of Africa.”
Their tours take travelers from South Africa’s Cape Town to Tanzania’s Dar Es Salaam, with the Victoria Falls route being particularly popular.
This specific journey spans over 1,400 kilometers and typically takes passengers from Pretoria in South Africa to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, offering a scenic and luxurious way to experience southern Africa.