Chongwe, Zambia – June 14, 2026 – Three people have died after two heavy-duty trucks collided head-on and burst into flames along the Great East Road in Kapete area of Chongwe District.
The tragic road traffic accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, approximately six kilometres from the Kapete checkpoint, when two trucks travelling in opposite directions collided.
According to Chongwe Municipal Council Assistant Public Relations Officer Cecilia Mukonkela Musonda, the accident involved a truck belonging to Mwekache Transport, which was carrying bags of groundnuts, and another truck operated by Chombo Transport.
Preliminary investigations indicate that one of the trucks attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in the devastating head-on collision.
The impact caused both vehicles to catch fire immediately.
Musonda said firefighters from the Chongwe Municipal Council were dispatched to the scene at around 14:10 hours and successfully extinguished the blaze.
However, after the fire was brought under control, authorities discovered three bodies believed to be those of two men and one woman. The victims were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
Before the fatalities were confirmed, police officers had rescued six people from the wreckage, including two minors, who were rushed to Chongwe General Hospital for medical treatment.
In a further development, firefighters were later recalled to the accident scene after reports that one of the trucks had reignited. The fire was subsequently extinguished for a second time.
Meanwhile, Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi confirmed the incident, stating that among the deceased was a truck driver while the other two victims were passengers.
Chilabi further disclosed that the Chongwe tragedy forms part of a series of fatal road traffic accidents recorded across Eastern, Copperbelt, Central, Lusaka, and Southern provinces on June 13, 2026.
According to police records, the accidents collectively claimed 10 lives and left five people injured.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns over road safety on Zambia’s major highways, particularly on the busy Great East Road, which continues to record a high number of serious accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, avoid dangerous overtaking, and adhere to traffic regulations to help reduce the growing number of fatal road accidents across the country.