Runaway Train Carrying 450,000 Litres of Diesel Crashes in Bulawayo

Bulawayo was shaken on Saturday morning by a serious railway accident involving a goods train carrying 450,000 litres of diesel. The incident happened at Mpopoma Station when an unmanned train, which had arrived from Mozambique, unexpectedly began to move on its own and crashed into another parked locomotive.

According to Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Mhlangano Moyo, the train had been left parked overnight after running out of fuel. However, the brakes reportedly failed, allowing it to roll down the track and collide with another engine. “The train gained momentum after the brakes lost power and went straight into another parked locomotive,” said Mr. Moyo.

The crash raised serious safety and environmental concerns, as the massive amount of diesel posed a high risk of fire or explosion. Emergency services responded quickly to prevent what could have been a major disaster. Firefighters and railway crews worked to secure the site and manage the fuel safely.

“The operation is still ongoing,” Mr. Moyo added. “We are decanting the fuel and pushing the locomotives apart to avoid further danger.”

Also read ~ https://thebusinesspulse.africa/tobacco/

Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported, a fortunate outcome considering the potential scale of damage. The clean-up process involves transferring the diesel into safe storage tanks and inspecting the damaged locomotives.

A full investigation has been launched to determine how the runaway occurred and to prevent similar accidents in the future. The incident has sparked discussions around railway safety, fuel transport procedures, and the importance of strict maintenance standards for locomotives.

While Bulawayo narrowly avoided a disaster, the event serves as a reminder of the need for continuous investment in safety systems and proper handling of high-risk cargo across the transport industry.