The Zimbabwean government on Monday declared a national disaster after 18 people were killed and 46 others injured in a road accident the previous day.
A truck carrying the victims veered off the road and overturned Sunday at the 18 km peg along the Selbourne-Hauna road in the mountainous area near Nyanga in Zimbabwe's eastern province of Manicaland.
Police spokesperson Tinaye Matake said the driver lost control of the vehicle with 64 farmers on board, adding that 17 people died on the spot and one was pronounced dead after arriving at Hauna District Hospital.
Police spokesperson for Manicaland Province Enock Chishiri said 29 of the injured are still at Hauna District Hospital. Chishiri urged travellers not to board overloaded vehicles while calling on drivers to exercise extreme caution.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatious Chombo said all relatives of the people who died in the accident will receive state assistance, including coffins, food and money.
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