Chibombo bus crash
| Chibombo bus crash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | February 7, 2013 |
| Location | Central Province, Zambia |
| Statistics | |
| Deaths | 51 |
| Injured | 28 |
14°39′29″S 28°04′23″E / 14.658°S 28.073°E
On February 7, 2013, a bus collided with a semi-truck and a sport utility vehicle on the Great North Road,[1] between the towns of Chibombo and Kabwe in the Central Province of Zambia,[2] resulting in the deaths of 49 of the 73 persons on the bus,[3][4] and of the truck driver and his assistant.[5][6][7] A further 28 people were injured.[2]
The crash was one of the worst in the history of Zambia, and was compared to a 2005 bus accident in which 38 high school students died and another 50 were seriously injured.[6]
Details
The 74-seat bus, operated by Zambia Postal Services, left Ndola, in the Copperbelt Province at 04:30 CAT,[2] and was heading toward Zambia's capital, Lusaka.[1][7] The road connecting Lusaka to Tanzania is a two-lane highway known for having heavy traffic.[5] District Commissioner Priscilla Chisha reported that a sport utility vehicle attempting to pass the bus crashed head-on into an oncoming truck, sending it into the bus' path,[6] while a survivor of the accident stated that the bus swerved into the truck to avoid an oncoming vehicle.[7] Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Kanjela said that even hours after the crash it was not possible to enter the bus wreckage to determine if there were other trapped passengers.[6]
Criminal investigation
An official of the office of the vice-president told press that all the vehicles involved were speeding.[8] The driver of the SUV, a farm manager from South Africa, was arrested and charged with "51 counts of causing death by dangerous driving", according to Kanjela.[9][3]
Reaction
President Michael Sata offered his condolences to the families of the victims; "We pray that the Lord almighty grants the bereaved families comfort and strength during this very painful period."[6] Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni also offered condolences on behalf of the government, and pledged work would be done to minimize future tragedies.[10] On February 8, the government declared three days of national mourning.[11]
South African President Jacob Zuma offered his condolences to the people of Zambia in a statement stating "Our hearts go out to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts are with the injured as we wish them a speedy recovery."[4]
References
- ^ a b "Over 50 people die in Post bus accident". Lusaka Times. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Relatives of Post bus travelers besiege Ndola Post office". Lusaka Times. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "74 year old Mkushi farmer charged for causing the POST Bus accident". Lusaka Times. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013. -- Note: early news reported 53 fatalities. This figure of 51 is the number used by the police and the legal services.
- ^ a b "SA man caused horror Zambia crash". news24. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "Bus crash in Zambia leaves at least 53 dead, considered one of nation's worst traffic crashes - NY Daily News". Daily News. The Associated Press. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Dozens killed in Zambia as bus crashes into truck". The Guardian. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
{{cite news}}: Text "The Guardian" ignored (help); Text "World news" ignored (help) - ^ a b c "53 dead in Zambia bus-truck crash". New Zimbabwe. AFP. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ^ "Zambia: Many dead in bus and lorry crash north of Lusaka". BBC. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ "SA man arrested for Zambia bus crash". The Post. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ "President Sata sends condolences to families of 53 deceased road traffic accident victims". Lusaka Times. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ^ "Three days of national mourning declared in honour of the accident victims". Lusaka Times. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.