At least nine people died on Friday evening after a passenger minibus crashed into a broken-down truck in Messica, in Mozambique's central Manica province. An official source confirmed the fatal collision occurred in Manica district.
The crash happened when the minibus carrying passengers struck the stalled truck that was immobilized on the road. Manica district administrator Paulo Raposo visited the site shortly after the incident.
Raposo said local authorities and emergency teams were grieving the loss of life, noting the situation took officials by surprise. He confirmed that rescue workers remain on the ground to assist victims and gather information about the accident.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Raposo stated that full details regarding the cause of the crash were not yet available. He said officials traveled directly to the scene as soon as they received reports of the collision.
The administrator urged drivers to take extra care when traveling at night. Raposo said night driving requires defensive habits at all times because human lives are at risk.
Emergency crews continue rescue operations and the process of identifying the victims at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed in the crash.
Mozambique Road Safety Record
Traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death across Mozambique. Official data shows the country recorded 611 road crashes in 2025, resulting in 830 deaths.
The high fatality count prompted the Mozambican government to revise its national Highway Code. The Council of Ministers approved an authorization for the legal revision in June.
The proposed highway code changes include introducing a points-based driver's license system and deploying video surveillance cameras for road monitoring. The reforms also aim to strengthen enforcement mechanisms against traffic violations and align road safety regulations with national criminal law.
