Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, on Friday visited eight tourists injured in the Rovos Rail train accident, who are currently admitted to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo.
She was accompanied by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube during the visit, where the injured—who are in stable condition—expressed gratitude for the government’s compassion and assistance following the incident.
The ministers also met a separate group of 47 tourists who had been temporarily accommodated at Rainbow Towers in Harare and were later flown to Victoria Falls. The tourists were welcomed by tourism officials in the resort city.
Minister Rwodzi said the government is using tourism as a diplomatic tool to strengthen international relations and project a positive image of Zimbabwe globally. She assured continued government support for both the injured and those continuing with their holidays until they return to their respective countries.
Later, the two ministers travelled to the crash site in Gwanda, where they engaged with Rovos Rail and National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) officials. The railway and hospitality companies commended the swift response by emergency services, police, local communities, and other stakeholders.
Nationalities of those aboard the luxury train included British (16), American (13), South African (6), Swiss (6), Danish (4), Swedish (2), and one each from Australia and Maputo.
