The devastating collision involved a 30-tonne haulage truck and a commuter omnibus, resulting in a scene of widespread carnage.

The sheer force of the impact left the mangled remains of the kombi completely wedged beneath the massive truck, a stark testament to the ferocity of the collision.

Initial Reports Suggest Chain of Events Leading to Tragedy

While authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the precise cause of the accident, initial reports from witnesses at the scene suggest a smaller vehicle, possibly a Honda Fit, may have triggered the deadly chain of events. The smaller vehicle allegedly veered abruptly into the path of the oncoming haulage truck, prompting the truck driver to swerve suddenly.

In a tragic sequence, the haulage truck reportedly swerved directly into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with an oncoming commuter omnibus. The momentum of the 30-tonne truck then dragged and completely crushed the kombi beneath its immense weight, leading to the high fatality count.

Grim Scene: Rescue Efforts Underway, Road Closed

Emergency services, including police, fire services, and ambulance teams, rushed to the scene to respond to the catastrophic incident. Amidst the wreckage, rescue crews managed to pull three critically injured individuals from the mangled remains of the kombombi. These survivors were immediately transported to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention.

17 Dead in Devastating Kombi-Haulage Truck Collision at Hunyani Bridge

Witnesses described the aftermath as "carnage," painting a grim picture of twisted metal, shattered glass, and body parts tragically scattered across the tarmac. Firefighters and paramedics are continuing their arduous work at the scene, striving to retrieve bodies and clear the extensive debris.

As a result of the ongoing recovery efforts and the severity of the accident, Seke Road has been temporarily closed to traffic. Police are actively working to identify the victims, while distraught families have begun to arrive at the crash site, seeking information about their loved ones.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the accident area to allow emergency crews unimpeded access to complete their critical work.