Tinotenda Hove – A tragic accident occurred at Ruti Dam in Buhera on Friday morning after a commuter omnibus reportedly rolled into the water and became submerged, leaving nine passengers feared dead.

According to sources, the vehicle had stopped near the Bangure dam wall to pick up passengers travelling to Murambinda for a church gathering when it unexpectedly slid into the dam.

One passenger has so far been recovered from the water and was pronounced dead, while eight others are believed to have remained trapped inside the submerged omnibus as rescue efforts continued.

Sources said the passengers had crossed Ruti Dam from the Gutu side using canoes before boarding the commuter omnibus on the Buhera side. By the time of the accident, nine people had already taken their seats inside the vehicle while their luggage was still being loaded and secured on the roof.

It is understood that the omnibus suddenly rolled forward into the dam before sinking beneath the water, triggering a frantic rescue operation.

Authorities are expected to provide further details as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.