Zimpapers Logo

Crime Reporter
At least 17 Zimbabweans were injured while their goods and property was destroyed after a bus they were travelling in caught fire this morning in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to reports, the bus incident occurred on the N1 North just after the William Nicol off-ramp. The bus belonging to Apaco coaches and Chamvari tours bus was travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe. Media reports say Emer-G-Med paramedics received reports of the incident and upon arrival, found traffic at a standstill and the smoking bus stranded in the middle lane.

According the company, the bus caught fire after a front tyre burst.

“The bus driver then stopped the bus and as he alighted, the smoke spread to the rest of the vehicle,” Emer-G-Med was quoted saying.

This resulted in passengers rushing to get off, and in getting injured in the process. Emer-G-Med confirmed that 17 people sustained injuries and were being taken to hospital. Fatalities could not be confirmed at this stage.

Firefighters are still working to put out the fire, which have since spread to the bus’s trailer. Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar also confirmed the incident.

“We are still going to investigate the cause of the fire but we are fearing an explosion which is why traffic is being diverted off at William Nicol, past Witkoppen, Rivonia Road leading back to the N1,” he said.