16 Feb 2019

A Seabelo Express bus was earlier today gutted by fire along the A1 Road near Mmamabula.

The incident involved a Francistown-bound bus from Gaborone. It carried 21 passengers, who all escaped without injuries. 

Dibete police station commander, Superintendent Meshack Ranku,  said the bus caught fire after a suspected tyre puncture. “The bus driver suspected that something was wrong with the rear right tyre. He then realsied that it had caught fire. The fire eventually covered the entire bus,” said Supt Ranku. 

The incident followed a February 12 one where five people died when two Seabelo Express buses were involved in an accident along the same road. 

Meanwhile, Superintendent Kgosienalerona Sechoni of Mahalapye stated that the five people who died in last week's buses accident had been identified and their next of kin notified. 

Supt Sechoni said all deceased persons were citizens of Botswana. He said a 7-year-old boy who was among the deceased  hailed from Francistown while others hailed from Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye and Thamaga. 

Supt Sechoni said one of those who sustained serious injuries was still admitted at Mahalapye District Hospital while others had since been released .  ends