Dete train crash

In the railway accident of Detention on 1 February 2003 came the passenger train No. 14 and the freight train No. 33 of the National Railways of Zimbabwe in the west entrance of the station Dete, Zimbabwe, head-on. Up to 50 people died.

Starting position

On the single track railway Bulawayo - Victoria Falls operational safety was ensured with signals. These were but long out of action since the dire economic situation of the country, repeated theft of copper cables and vandalism would not allow it to repair it. Instead, it was driven to run command in written agreement between the engineer and the central traffic control of the railroad. This option was but aside in the section concerned because so founded the the Minister of transport and communications, Witness Mangwende, before Parliament is located, the corresponding stretch in the Hwange National Park.

On the line was a train from Thomson Junction to the east on the road, the mitführte tank wagons with fuel. The freight train the driveway was released orally in the Detention Station. From the opposite direction of the passenger train came from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. In this traveled about 1100 passengers. He also received the oral authorization for exit from the Detention Station due to the disregard of safety.

Circumstances of the accident

The trains collided in the area of the western train station exit, 11 passenger cars derailed and overturned in part. Also, tank cars were damaged, fuel ran out, caught fire and began to burn the debris.

Follow

About 50 people died, [note 1] 64 were difficult, with many more minor injuries. Since the civil defense was very quick to help, many people could still be freed from the wreckage before the fire spread to it. Both trains were burned completely. The victims were treated at the hospital in Hwange.

As a result, the government wanted to equip the crews of trains with radios through which the train safety should be ensured.