Mozambique: Death toll in Gondola road accident rises to 23

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Mozambique: Death toll in Gondola road accident rises to 23

12:13 CAT | 25 Mar 2025

Photo: O País

The Mozambican police today confirmed three more deaths following the violent road accident which took place on National Highway Number 6 in Manica province, in the centre of the country on Monday, bringing the total number of deaths to 23.

“Regrettably and as an update, we inform you that the accident resulted in 23 deaths, one serious injury and two minor injuries, and extensive material damage to the semi-public passenger vehicle. The causes: Traffic going off-road, combined with excessive speed,” the spokesperson for the general command of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), Leonel Muchina, announced today.

The accident occurred on Monday afternoon at the Cafumpe administrative post in Gondola district, Manica, and involved a head-on collision between a semi-public passenger vehicle and a heavy goods vehicle.

Given the increasing number of accidents in the country, Muchina also announced the “reactivation” of the force’s mobile brigades to monitor vehicle speed and alcohol consumption at “critical points” on national roads, as well as civic awareness campaigns in schools and other locations.

Following the accident, President Chapo today called for everyone to comply with road safety rules.

“The President of the Republic calls on all motorists and other road users to strictly observe road safety rules in order to preserve human life, a precious and irreplaceable asset, and says that it is everyone’s responsibility to preserve it, through prudent, responsible driving that respects traffic rules,” a statement from the presidency reads.

In the same note, the head of state expressed “deep pain and dismay” at the consequences of the accident in Manica.

According to the president’s statement, “tragedies like this create mourning, pain and an irreparable void in Mozambican families, and it is imperative that, as a society, we strengthen the culture of safety and prevention, in order to avoid the repetition of situations of this kind”.

Road accident rates in Mozambique are classified as “dramatic” by several organizations, while the authorities cite excessive speed and driving under the influence of alcohol as among the main causes.

The country has recorded more than 4,800 deaths in road accidents in the last five years, according to data released in May by the government, which called for mass involvement in addressing the scourge.

Source: Lusa