![]() | This article may be excessively based on
contemporary reporting. (March 2024) |
Chibombo bus crash | |
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![]() Location of Central Province in Zambia | |
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Details | |
Date | 7 February 2013 |
Location | Central Province |
Country | Zambia |
Statistics | |
Deaths | 51 [1] |
Injured | 28 |
14°39′29″S 28°04′23″E / 14.658°S 28.073°E
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]
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]
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]
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]