Five people have died and eight others have sustained injuries in two separate road traffic accidents recorded along the Great East Road in Chongwe and Lusaka districts on September 9, 2026.
The fatal accidents, which occurred hours apart, involved a Toyota Quantum minibus in Chongwe and a Toyota Vitz in Lusaka, with preliminary investigations in both cases pointing to excessive speed as a possible factor.
According to the Zambia Police Service, the first accident happened around 18:00 hours in the Nangwenya area of Chongwe District and involved a Toyota Quantum minibus, registration number BBE 8349ZM, which was travelling towards Lusaka.
The minibus was carrying 10 passengers in addition to the driver, whose identity had not yet been established at the time of the police report.
Four passengers sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Chongwe District Hospital. Their bodies were deposited at the hospital mortuary, where they are awaiting identification and postmortem examinations.
Five other passengers sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Chongwe District Hospital for treatment, while another passenger sustained slight injuries and was treated before being discharged.
Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said preliminary investigations indicate that the driver allegedly lost control of the minibus due to excessive speed.
The vehicle subsequently veered off the road and overturned several times, resulting in the deaths and injuries.
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In a separate incident later the same night, another person was killed in a road traffic accident at the main entrance of Manda Hill Shopping Mall in Lusaka.
The accident occurred around 23:50 hours and involved a Toyota Vitz, registration number AID 549.
The vehicle was being driven by 23-year-old William Chibeka, who was reported to be a student at Evelyn Hone College.
Chibeka sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.
His body was deposited at the UTH mortuary, awaiting postmortem examination.
Two passengers who were in the Toyota Vitz sustained serious injuries and were admitted to UTH, where they are receiving medical treatment.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle, allegedly due to excessive speed, causing the Toyota Vitz to overturn into a drainage channel.
An inquiry file has since been opened, while investigations into both fatal road traffic accidents are continuing.
The two accidents have once again highlighted concerns surrounding road safety and the dangers associated with excessive speed, particularly along busy roads such as the Great East Road.
Police have urged motorists to exercise caution, observe speed limits and comply with traffic regulations in an effort to prevent road traffic accidents and the loss of lives.
Mr Chilabi reiterated the Zambia Police Service’s call for motorists to prioritise road safety and avoid reckless driving, especially when travelling on major highways.
As investigations continue, police are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding both accidents.
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