Chibombo bus crash

14.658°S 28.073°E / -14.658; 28.073

Chibombo in Zambia

Chibombo bus crash
Location of Central Province in Zambia
Details
Date7 February 2013
LocationCentral Province
CountryZambia
Statistics
Deaths51[1]
Injured28

On 7 February 2013, a bus collided with a semi-truck and a sport utility vehicle on the Great North Road,[2] between the towns of Chibombo and Kabwe in the Central Province of Zambia,[3] resulting in the deaths of 49 of the 73 persons on the bus,[4][5] and of the truck driver and his assistant.[6][7][8] A further 28 people were injured.[3]

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.[7]

Details

The 74-seat bus, operated by Zambia Postal Services, left Ndola, in the Copperbelt Province at 04:30 CAT,[3] and was heading toward Zambia's capital, Lusaka.[2][8] The road connecting Lusaka to Tanzania is a two-lane highway known for having heavy traffic.[6] 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,[7] while a survivor of the accident stated that the bus swerved into the truck to avoid an oncoming vehicle.[8] 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.[7]

Criminal investigation

An official of the office of the vice-president told press that all the vehicles involved were speeding.[9] 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.[4][10]

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."[7] Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni also offered condolences on behalf of the government, and pledged work would be done to minimise future tragedies.[11] On 8 February, the government declared three days of national mourning.[12]

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."[5]

References
  1. "Bus crash in Zambia kills 51 people". Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  2. "Over 50 people die in Post bus accident". Lusaka Times. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  3. "Relatives of Post bus travelers besiege Ndola Post office". Lusaka Times. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  4. "74-year-old Mkushi farmer charged for causing the POST Bus accident". Lusaka Times. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013. – Note: early news reported 53 fatalities. This figure of 51 is the number used by the police and the legal services.
  5. "SA man caused horror Zambia crash". news24. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  6. "Bus crash in Zambia leaves at least 53 dead, considered one of nation's worst traffic crashes – NY Daily News". Daily News. Associated Press. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  7. "Dozens killed in Zambia as bus crashes into truck". The Guardian. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  8. "53 dead in Zambia bus-truck crash". New Zimbabwe. AFP. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  9. "Zambia: Many dead in bus and lorry crash north of Lusaka". BBC. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  10. "SA man arrested for Zambia bus crash". IOL News. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  11. "President Sata sends condolences to families of 53 deceased road traffic accident victims". Lusaka Times. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  12. "Three days of national mourning declared in honour of the accident victims". Lusaka Times. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
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