- The HGV hit a pothole near a university in Bulawayo, Matabeleland region
- Three people were seriously injured in the incident and the coffin was smashed
- A police car attending the scene also crashed when its brakes failed
A lorry has overturned on a road in Zimbabwe, killing 16 mourners in a funeral procession.
The HGV is believed to have hit a pothole near the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, overturning and crushing the mourners.
The coffin was also smashed to pieces.
A lorry overturned on a road in Zimbabwe, killing 16 people who were in a funeral procession. Pictured, the main frame of the lorry still maintained its shape after the crash, but wood and glass is spread everywhere
The HGV hit a pothole near the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, in the western Matabeleland region
The coffin was smashed to pieces and three people were seriously injured in the incident. Pictured, firemen at the site
Three people were seriously injured in the incident and taken to United Bulawayo Hospital, two of whom are in critical condition.
There were five survivors, including the lorry driver.
Richard Peterson, Bulawayo’s fire chief, said the accident happened at 11pm.
He added: ‘The driver is saying the truck reportedly hit a pothole and lost control before its load fell on the Kombi (Volkswagen camper van).’
Two of the people taken to United Bulawayo Hospital are in a critical condition. Pictured, a recovery vehicle next to the pothole the lorry hit
Richard Peterson, Bulawayo’s fire chief said: ‘The driver is saying the truck reportedly hit a pothole and lost control before its load fell on the Kombi (Volkswagen camper van)’
Pictured, firemen work into the night to clear the wreckage. None of the victims have been named yet
The area had a run of bad luck as a police car attending the scene crashed after its brakes failed.
It is not known what damage was caused or whether any officers were injured.
Police did not reveal whether the lorry driver had been tested for alcohol or whether any legal proceedings were active.
The victims have not been named yet.
A police car attending the scene also crashed after its brakes failed. The crash spread wood and glass debris across the road
Pictured, rescue workers survey the damage caused by the lorry tipping over, crushing the funeral procession-Dailymail