Tragedy Strikes Chinhoyi – A devastating incident occurred at Chinhoyi Railway Station on the afternoon of Thursday, 17 July 2025, when a man was fatally struck by an oncoming train. The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) confirmed the accident happened at approximately 4:06 PM, marking the fourth railway-related death in the country within a month — a concerning trend that has shocked communities and prompted urgent calls for public safety reforms.
The victim, believed to be in his mid-30s, was not carrying any form of identification, making it difficult for authorities to immediately notify his family. Efforts are ongoing to establish his identity.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene ( Chinhoyi Railway Station), the man had headphones on and appeared unaware of the approaching train as he walked along the tracks. Investigators suspect that the distraction from the headphones may have prevented him from hearing the locomotive’s horn.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, the NRZ urged the public to exercise greater caution when near Chinhoyi railway infrastructure.
“We appeal to members of the public to be vigilant while walking close to railway tracks and avoid distractions such as earphones, which can result in tragic consequences,” the NRZ said.
This latest accident adds to a string of fatal train-related incidents reported across the country since late June. On July 1, two men were killed in separate train collisions in Bulawayo and Mutare. In Bulawayo, a pedestrian also using earphones was struck by a train near the city’s main station at around 12:55 PM. Just hours later in Mutare, train operators reported running over a man lying motionless on the railway line near Odzi Siding.
Earlier, on June 20, Peter Vengesayi from Zeederburg Village in Zvishavane was killed under similarly tragic circumstances. He was reportedly lying on the tracks when a freight train ran him over, resulting in his instant death.
These incidents have stirred growing concern among both railway authorities and the public. The NRZ has since flagged the alarming rise in preventable railway deaths as a national safety crisis.
Officials note that a combination of negligence, unsafe pedestrian behavior, and widespread misuse of railway infrastructure is contributing to the surge in fatalities. In many high-density suburbs, residents regularly use railway tracks as pedestrian shortcuts, jogging routes, or even gathering spots, often oblivious to the dangers.
NRZ spokesperson Martin Banda said the organisation is deeply troubled by the increasing number of avoidable deaths and is actively working on measures to reverse the trend.
“We are seeing a disturbing pattern where people treat railway lines as ordinary footpaths. This mindset is dangerous and deadly,” Banda warned.
Tragedy at Chinhoyi Station: Fourth Train Fatality in a Month Raises Alarm
In response, the NRZ has partnered with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe to roll out a series of rail safety education campaigns. These efforts aim to engage communities directly, particularly those living close to railway lines, and raise awareness about the risks associated with unsafe behavior near tracks.
Plans are also underway to enhance physical safety infrastructure around high-risk zones, including installing better warning signage, improving fencing along tracks, and considering the deployment of additional surveillance equipment.
Meanwhile, the ZRP has echoed the NRZ’s concerns and urged citizens to adhere to safety guidelines when crossing or walking near railways. In a statement, police emphasized that failure to observe safety rules could lead to criminal liability, especially in cases where pedestrian recklessness leads to accidents.
Public reaction to the string of accidents has been mixed. While some have called for tighter enforcement and stiffer penalties for misuse of rail lines, others argue that urban planning failures — such as the lack of proper pedestrian infrastructure — are pushing residents to unsafe shortcuts.
“This is a shared responsibility. Authorities must make railway lines safer, but people also need to stop taking dangerous risks,” said one Chinhoyi resident.
As investigations into the latest Chinhoyi incident continue, both the NRZ and police are urging the public to reflect on the value of life and the importance of prioritizing safety over convenience.
With the death toll mounting and the country still reeling from multiple tragedies, authorities hope that stronger community outreach and education will help prevent further heartbreak on Zimbabwe’s railway lines like what happened in Chinhoyi.
Source- ZimEye
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