Forty-nine survivors of a bus crash that killed 17 Malawians in Zimbabwe arrived home on Saturday through Mwanza Border.
The survivors comprise 16 women, six children and 27 men.
They were referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre for further treatment after screening at Mwanza District Hospital. Four of them were admitted to QECH.
On the other hand, the remaining 45 were taken to Kamuzu Stadium where tents, medical screening and other facilities were arranged for their temporary accommodation before travelling to their respective homes.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesperson Charles Nkhalamba said survivors repatriated were those deemed fit to travel by road.
He said: “There are some survivors remaining in Harare including one who is in intensive care and others who are expected to travel by air.”
Addressing the survivors at Kamuzu Stadium, Department of Disaster Management Affairs commissioner Wilson Moleni expressed solidarity with the survivors and conveyed condolences to families who lost their relatives.
He said Dodma supported them throughout their journey and would also provide transport assistance to their homes.
“There are some who will stay with us for some time as we trace their relatives, including a child who lost a mother in the crash,” said Moleni.
He further said the remains of those who died in the crash are expected to leave Zimbabwe for Malawi on Monday morning.
One of the survivors, Enock Sisya, described the accident as a traumatic experience he will never forget.
He said the bus which was travelling from South Africa to Malawi initially developed a fault in Zimbabwe, delaying their journey for several hours.
He added that the accident happened after the bus resumed the trip.
“Some passengers sustained serious injuries after being trapped under seats,” said Sisya, commending the Malawi Government for coordinating assistance in Zimbabwe and facilitating their return.
The accident, which involved a bus belonging to DRD/DND Coaches, occurred along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road in Zimbabwe on May 5.
The repatriation comes days after another accident in which eight people died and 40 others were injured after a Munorurama passenger bus travelling from Malawi overturned in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.
