SEVEN people have died after truck and Canter collided headed and plunged in a ditch in Pemba district of Southern Province yesterday.
Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo confirmed the accident.
By press time, a search for more bodies was on going.
Katongo explained that accident happened when the a Man Diesel truck driven by Owen Hamwene failed to keep to his near side and caused a headon collision with a Mitsubishi Canter which was carrying several people.
The accident happened around 06:00 hours yesterday on Batoka-Maamba road at 7 Corners area near Siyamuleya area, 20 km east of Batoka town in Pemba District.
“Involved was a motor vehicle Man Diesel truck registration number ALL 9420 property of Cetina Transport of Lusaka driven by Owen Hamwene aged 26 years of Balastone, Lusaka. Also involved was another motor vehicle Mitsubishi Canter registration number BAG 4712 driven by Webby Kabaso of Sinazongwe District,” Katongo told #Kalemba in a statement.
“…subsequently both motor vehicles fell into a ditch. Due to the impact, seven occupants from the Mitsubishi Canter sustained head injuries and were all certified dead upon arrival at Choma General Hospital. They have been identified as Webby Kabaso (driver) age not known (2) Precious Chile, 40 years of Sinazongwe (3) Margaret Makungu 40 years of Zambia compound, Choma, (4) Nessia Nganga, 53 years of Maramba compound, Livingstone, (5) F/Christine other names and age not known but of Maramba Compound, Livingstone and two unidentified male adult persons of unknown age and abode,” Katongo added.
She further explained that 11other passengers from the Mitsubishi Canter including five males and six females and the driver for the Man diesel truck and trailer Owen Hamwene sustained serious injuries and had all been admitted to Choma General Hospital while the seven bodies are lying in the Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem and identification for the two unidentified bodies.
She said a search for more bodies had continued because the wreckage had not been removed from the ditch where some bodies were suspected to have still been trapped.
