Closure of Key Railway Lines in Southern Mozambique Due to Accidents
Southern Mozambique’s key railway corridors, the Ressano Garcia and Goba lines, were closed following a train derailment and a collision. Damages are being assessed by Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM), while an inquiry is investigating the derailment’s causes. Restoration efforts are ongoing to resume rail services which are vital for freight and passenger transport in the region.
Two major railway corridors in southern Mozambique have been rendered inoperative due to accidents. A derailment on the Ressano Garcia line occurred on Sunday, followed by a collision involving a freight train and a truck on the Goba line, which connects the Port of Maputo to Eswatini. The Goba line incident happened at the Beluluane level crossing, causing further disruptions to rail traffic.
Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM) has dispatched a team to evaluate the damages and work towards resuming train operations, which had not been accomplished when this report was finalized. In parallel, an inquiry commission composed of Mozambican and South African experts is investigating the causes behind the derailment of a freight train carrying iron and chrome on the Ressano Garcia line.
Efforts are underway to clear the line and facilitate a swift restoration of rail traffic. Adélio Dias, Director of Communication and Image at CFM, reported on the derailment involving a 50-wagon freight train. Preliminary investigations indicate that a rail defect led to the accident, resulting in seven wagons overturning near the Chanculo station in the Moamba district, Maputo province.
As of the latest update, restoration work continues on the rail corridor that links South Africa to the Port of Maputo. This incident has disrupted not only freight transport but also the movement of passengers reliant on railways for their livelihoods and daily activities in Maputo city.
This report outlines significant disruptions to rail transport in southern Mozambique, specifically detailing the incidents affecting the Ressano Garcia and Goba lines. These railway corridors are critical for both freight and passenger transport, connecting Mozambique to South Africa and Eswatini. Understanding these events helps grasp the operational challenges faced by Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM) and the implications for local transport.
The recent accidents on the railway corridors in southern Mozambique have caused considerable disruptions, affecting both freight and passenger services. With teams actively assessing damages and a commission investigating the causes, efforts are in place to restore operations swiftly, though challenges remain. Continuous updates will be necessary to monitor the resolution of these critical transport networks.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
