[1][2] The train comprised carriages containing 600 people and several wagons loaded with South African cement.
The carriages were uncoupled about 5 km from Tenga, possibly as part of a manoeuvre by the train crew.
The carriages then rolled down the line into Tenga, and crashed into the stationary rail wagons loaded with cement from the train which were coupled to the locomotive.
Three days of mourning were declared by then President of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano.
[3] The crash was blamed on human error and a manoeuvre that went wrong.