State media in Zimbabwe say at least 19 people were killed Thursday in accidents along the highway that links Harare and Bulawayo, the country's two biggest cities.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation says in the main incident, a bus lost its right front tire and sideswiped a truck going in the opposite direction, killing 18 people.

ZBC says another bus overturned on the highway while trying to avoid the initial crash, killing one person.

A police spokesman says 20 people were taken to a hospital in Harare.

Zimbabwe has experienced a series of fatal bus crashes in recent weeks. At least 18 people died July 31 in an accident north of Harare, while 13 were killed two days later in an accident in eastern Zimbabwe.

The country's roads and buses are in generally poor condition after a decade of economic struggles and political turmoil.