At least 20 people lost their lives and another three were injured on Thursday afternoon, following a road accident on National Road number seven (EN7), in the district of Barue, in the province of Manica.

The accident was a collision between vehicles, involving a passenger transport vehicle and a long-distance lorry.

The passenger car was traveling in the direction of Catandica, the seat of the Báruè district, towards the town of Guro.

The administrator of the Báruè district, David Franque, who confirmed what had happened this afternoon, explained that the accident was caused by poor visibility due to uncontrolled burning on the side of National Road number seven.

In the crash, the vehicle overturned, causing the immediate death of 20 people and the injury of three others.

"The truck was parked and the driver of the passenger car, due to the smoke caused by the flames, lost control of the vehicle which crashed into the truck and then overturned. We found 20 fatalities at the scene and the bodies were taken to the Catandica District Hospital morgue," said David Franque, quoted by AIM.

"The passenger car caught fire and some of the passengers were charred to death. We tried to help the passengers, but it was almost in vain because the flames were so intense. It was a head-on collision. Only three people made it out alive and they are being treated at Catandica District Hospital," said Franque.

"Work is currently underway to identify the victims and inform their families. Our appeal is for motorists to be more careful when they hit the road. Nor should people burn uncontrollably on public roads without following the rules, as this can endanger the lives of road users," he said.

This is the second accident in Manica province this year with a high death toll.

The first occurred in the district town of Gondola, where nine people lost their lives and 15 others were injured after a cargo truck crashed near a market.

Most of the victims were young motorcycle taxi drivers and corn sellers along National Road number six (EN6).