HARARE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a bus-truck collision that killed 24 people a national disaster, according to a statement by the Department of Presidential Communications released late Thursday.

Mnangagwa expressed his condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the crash, which occurred in Matabeleland South Province on Thursday morning.

"Our nation does not deserve this, especially such a tragic accident at the beginning of the year. We must do everything possible to prevent this unjustified loss of life," Mnangagwa said.

The president urged all motorists to exercise extreme caution for the safety of fellow road users and themselves. He also called on government agencies responsible for road safety to work to reduce such tragedies.

According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, road traffic accidents claim about 150 lives every month in the country. Police attribute many accidents to reckless driving, including speeding and failure to observe traffic regulations, while others result from defective vehicles. Enditem

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