Ben Mbangu in Choma
CHOMA — Fourteen people have died on the spot after the Rosa minibus they were travelling in collided with a Freightliner truck in Pemba.
Confirming the development, Southern Province acting police commissioner Alfred Nawa said the accident occurred around 04:30 hours yesterday.
“This morning (Thursday) around 04:30 hours a Rosa minibus belonging to United Church of Zambia (UCZ) was driving from south to north.
“And a freightliner truck was driving from north to south.
“So this accident happened when the minibus driver failed to keep his lane and crushed by the side with a freightliner truck and in the process 12 people died on the spot while several others injured have been rushed to Monze Mission Hospital,” said Nawa.
“We are yet to find out how many people are seriously injured.
“We also want to hear how many people the minibus was carrying and as to whether the driver of the minibus and truck driver are among the dead or injured.”
Monze Mission Hospital medical superintendent Eugene Kaunda said 14 victims were brought in dead.
“I hereby report that on 27 January 2022, Monze Mission Hospital received victims of road traffic accident (RTA) Rosa minibus coming from Maamba to Lusaka which collided in Pemba.
“The total number of victims was 36, 14 were brought in dead (BID) which comprised of eight females and six males and a 1-year-old child,” said Dr Kaunda.
“22 were alive which comprised of 10 males, 12 females aged between 16 to 55 and three unknown.
“Seven are in critical condition while five were rushed to the theatre and two are admitted in ICU (Intensive Care Unit).
Sixteen (16) are in stable condition and are admitted in male and female wards.”
And the UCZ through its synod administrative secretary Rodgers Ng’ambi expressed sadness.
“The Church bus that operates between Maamba and Lusaka has been involved in a road accident at Pemba and we have lost 12 lives including the driver.
“Let us pray for the bereaved families and the presbytery,” said Ng’ambi.
Meanwhile, Sinazongwe UPND member of parliament Gift Sialubalo said he was speechless at the loss of lives from his constituency.
“As MP for Sinazongwe, I mourn with the bereaved families. It’s sad that people had to lose their lives in this manner.
“As people of Sinazongwe, let us once again get united in mourning our departed brothers and sisters,” said Sialubalo.
