Five people have died, while three others have sustained serious injuries, after the mini-bus they were travelling in overturned in Mazabuka District.

The accident occurred, Wednesday, around 06:40 hours at Dallas area North of Mazabuka town on the Great North Road in Southern Province and involved six vehicles, Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed in a press statement.

“Involved in the accident was a Hino truck registration number FR 96 CD GP driven from south to north by Chari Charles, aged 54, of South Africa, also a Volvo truck registration number ABX 8247 towing a trailer registration number ALR 7391T being driven from north to south by Emmanuel Chimbipa, aged 34, of Chikumbi area in Kabwe; a Toyota Noah registration number BAH 9525 being driven from south to north by Emmanuel Daka; a Nissan registration number BX 88 XM GP driven from south to north by Odycious Hamweemba, aged 48 years of Kakumbi site and service; a Benz light truck registration number BY 97 GR GP towing a trailer registration number CM 64 XG GP and a Toyota Alphard registration number BAH 1786 driven by Emelia Mbewe Thokozani, aged 26 years, of Chelstone from north to south,” Katongo narrated.

She stated that the accident happened when the driver of the Hino Truck lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed and in the process hit into a Volvo truck, which was coming from the opposite direction.

Katongo explained that the same truck further went and hit into the other three vehicles from the rear, which made the driver of the Toyota Noah to lose control and overturn.

“After the accident, four persons sustained head injuries and died on the spot, while the driver of the Noah identified as Emmanuel Daka, aged 40 years, of Hill Side, Mazabuka, sustained a fractured neck and died on the way to the hospital. All the bodies of the deceased, whose names we have withheld until their next of kin are informed, have been deposited in Mazabuka District Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem,” stated Katongo.