By A Correspondent – Seven pupils from Matongo Primary School died Wednesday when a kombi ferrying them caught fire and exploded near Senga Shops in Gweru.

Police confirmed the deaths and said investigations into the cause of the blaze were ongoing.

An eyewitness who reached the scene minutes after the crash described a frantic rescue effort. Only two children were pulled out before flames engulfed the vehicle.

“When I arrived, people were already breaking the windows,” he said. “We managed to get two out. The fire spread too fast.”

He added that rescuers failed to open the rear door because the boot was jammed. “We tried the back, but it wouldn’t budge. By then the whole kombi was on fire.”

The witness said limited resources at the scene left them overwhelmed as the fire intensified.

Gweru Mayor Martin Chivhoko and Midlands education officials later visited and mourned the loss, while raising fresh concerns over safety standards in school transport.

Police said seven children died in the fire and investigations continue.