A 38-year-old woman of Lusaka’s Chazanga Compound has had her journey to Mpika rerouted to police cells after the acid she carried on a bus for gold purification injured and burnt seven passengers including a baby.
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This morning, a SCANIA bus cruising through Lusaka’s Cairo Road turned into a chamber of chaos when passengers were suddenly burned by a mysterious liquid seeping from the roof of the vehicle.
The bus, a Royal Africa Coach en route to Nakonde with 58 passengers on board, was shaken into a frenzy when commuters began screaming in pain around 04:00 hours today, after the corrosive liquid began dripping onto them.
Before anyone could fully grasp what was happening, seven passengers, including a toddler were left with serious burns to their arms, legs, and buttocks.
One of the injured, 25-year-old Emmanuel Chileshe from John Laing, sustained burns to the head and both arms, while a one year nine month old Mpika baby had her left arm scorched.
According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the source of the burns was traced to a leaking 2.5-litre container of suspected acid and a gas cylinder tucked in the luggage compartment directly above where a female passenger was seated.
The driver of the bus, 62-year-old Davies Musonda, did not hesitate to divert his bus straight to Lusaka Central Police Station, abandoning his schedule in a bid to save lives.
Police quickly swung into action, issuing medical forms and rushing the injured to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), where they were treated and later discharged in stable condition.
After swift investigations, police arrested 38-year-old Faith Nyirenda of Chazanga Compound who was reportedly seated directly below the leaking chemical container.
She told authorities she was headed to Mpika and claimed the acid was meant for gold purification.
The Zambia Police Service has since secured the acid container and gas cylinder as exhibits.
In a cautionary tone, police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga warned against carrying dangerous substances on public transport.
“We wish to warn members of the public against carrying dangerous, harmful, or offensive substances on public transport as this endangers the lives of innocent citizens. Offenders will be met with the full force of the law,” Hamoonga stated.
Police say a docket has been opened and further investigations are underway. Meanwhile, the bus was later released to continue its journey to Nakonde.
By George Musonda
Picture for illustration
Kalemba August 20, 2025
