Police say at least 18 people died when a bus veered off the highway and slammed into a tree after a wheel broke off. State radio reported Sunday that other passengers in the overcrowded 16-seater minibus were injured in the crash Saturday about 55 miles (90 kilometers) north-east of Harare.
Police official Oliver Mandipaka told the state broadcaster a rear wheel sheered off and the bus careered into a tree 300 feet (100 meters) along the roadside. Mandipaka said 16 people died on the spot.