Sixteen people died and several others were injured in a head-on collision by a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck near Harare on Friday, police said.

Police spokesman Paul Nyathi said the sixteen died on the spot in Featherstone along the Harare-Masvingo highway.

The truck encroached on the opposite lane, resulting in the head-on collision with the commuter omnibus, he said.

Nyathi said the truck driver swerved to the opposite lane trying to avoid hitting another commuter omnibus travelling in the same direction which had abruptly stopped in front of him.

Although the number injured and extent of injuries was unknown, scenes of the accident shown on television showed terrible carnage.

The Harare-Masvingo highway is highly prune to accidents due to its poor state and heavy traffic. New Ziana