An unmanned freight train carrying 450,000 liters of diesel rolled away and crashed into another stationary locomotive on Saturday at the Mpopoma Station in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo said the train had depleted its fuel and was left parked overnight when its brakes lost power, allowing it to gain speed before the collision at the diesel shed.
Emergency responders worked to prevent a potential disaster by carefully transferring the flammable cargo from the damaged locomotives and separating the two engines. Moyo indicated the decanting process would require considerable time, given the massive fuel volume involved.
No injuries occurred among railway workers or residents during the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how safety protocols failed, leading to the runaway train accident that threatened the surrounding community.
Emergency responders worked to prevent a potential disaster by carefully transferring the flammable cargo from the damaged locomotives and separating the two engines. Moyo indicated the decanting process would require considerable time, given the massive fuel volume involved.
No injuries occurred among railway workers or residents during the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how safety protocols failed, leading to the runaway train accident that threatened the surrounding community.
