Fifteen people died in over 100 road traffic accidents that were recorded countrywide during the four days of Independence Jubilee anniversary celebrations.
Zambia Police Service acting spokesperson Esther Katongo said 168 road traffic accidents were recorded over the period from 18 hours on 23 October to 06 00 hours on Monday October 27.
“Of these accidents, 14 were fatal in which 15 people died, 19 were serious accidents which left 21 people with serious injuries, in 25 accidents, 28 people sustained slight injuries while 110 accidents were damages only,” Ms Katongo said.
She said Lusaka had the highest number with 87 road traffic accidents in which eight people died followed by Copperbelt which had 38 accidents but without any death recorded.
Southern Province had 16 accidents without any death but with five serious injuries, and Central Province had eight accidents with one death.
Ms Katongo said in Western Province, seven accidents and one death were recorded while Eastern Province recorded six accidents with three deaths and Luapula Province recorded five accidents and two deaths.
Northern Province recorded one non-fatal accident while North-Western and Muchinga provinces did not record any accident.
Meanwhile, Ms Katongo has said the police have exhumed the body of a baby that died with 25 other people in a boat accident on Lake Kariba on Independence Day.
The body has been exhumed to facilitate a post-mortem.
“We are thanking all the stakeholders that participated in the search operation and we are also thanking Gwembe residents for maintaining peace and exercising patience during the search operation,” Ms Katongo said.
She said the bodies of the other victims of the boat accident are also lying in the UTH mortuary.
A day of national mourning has been declared for tomorrow, when the victims will be put to rest.
that was expected although 100 accidents are quite a lot
Welcome to Zambia where even traffic officers drink and drive. Remember last time i checked i found the officer on duty drunk at Emmasdale front desk!!!
That rude id!ot even refused to take my statement because he was so sloshed….
“Consuming large amounts of alcohol to the extent that you are passed out with your head in the toilet”
over excitement normally leads to such.
Very sad moment indeed!Condolences to everybody mourning,,,,,,,
Too bad for the lost souls,Agony is wen after 50 years independence celebration you va to report to your work place footing bcoz you car wz damanged in an accident due to over indulgence in alcohol.Drink responsbility even though it calls for a national celebration.
Another problem ther was stotage of BEER at some places so the accidents shud ve bin 200 or more.
168 RTAs is way too much. Maybe the beer shortage was a gift of life from Zambia Breweries.
Next time during the Diamond jubilee, the government should burn selling of acohol 10 days before. I know most of you will be very upset but atleast you will be alive after the jubilations.
Even if you ban the sale of alcohol 10 days before, be mindful that we shall also stock up 11 days before
But were was the police and the ratsa pipo to have 168 RTAs, busy kuchiliza ku kabwata, very useless, almost all the bus drivers were drank on the 23 and 24 October,government is worsting money on these two organization especially ratsa, plse GRZ look in to this.
hahahhahahahahaha…getting drunk like most Zambians!!
God knows
My condolences