A South African luxury train carrying foreign tourists en route to Victoria Falls for Easter collided with a freight train in southern Zimbabwe, injuring several people and causing a derailment.
The incident occurred on Friday in the town of Gwanda and involved the prestigious Rovos Rail train and a freight locomotive operated by Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway. Rovos Rail is renowned for its scenic, luxury train safaris across Africa, attracting high-end tourists from around the globe.
According to Rovos Rail spokesperson Liezl Maclean, the train was on a journey from Pretoria to Zimbabwe’s popular tourist destination, Victoria Falls. She confirmed that four crew members were injured in the collision, while none of the 47 passengers aboard were believed to be seriously hurt. However, some guests were placed under observation as a precaution.
Contrary to the company’s statement, a local railway official who spoke anonymously to AFP stated that at least 18 people had been injured in the incident. Of those, 14 were reportedly admitted to Gwanda Provincial Hospital, with the remaining four transferred to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo. The official did not clarify whether the injuries included people from the freight train or specify the breakdown between passengers and crew.
Shocking images circulated on social media showed rescue workers extracting victims from the wreckage, including one person being carried out on a stretcher through the twisted metal remains of a train carriage.
The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and investigations are likely to follow to determine what led to the collision between the luxury passenger train and the freight locomotive.
Established in 1989, Rovos Rail has gained global recognition for its vintage-style train journeys, offering luxury travel experiences through southern Africa. Its routes span from Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam, with the Victoria Falls package offering a three- or four-night, 1,400-kilometer journey through some of the continent’s most scenic landscapes.
Despite the accident, no fatalities have been reported, and authorities are expected to release further information as they continue to assess the aftermath.
The incident has sparked concern regarding rail safety in Zimbabwe, where infrastructure challenges have affected transport services in recent years. For now, tourists and travel operators alike await updates as the injured are treated and investigations unfold.