Seventeen people have died on the spot while 48 others sustained serious injuries in a Road traffic accident which happened on the Great East Road between Luangwa market and Luangwa bridge last night.

Police Spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo has confirmed the development and said the accident happened at about 21:08 hours after the driver of the Scania bus registration number ABP 6303 belonging to Kapena Transport which was Eastern bound failed to negotiate a curve causing it to fall into a ditch.

“The accident happened between Luangwa Market and Luangwa Bridge at about 21 08 hours after the driver of the Scania bus registration number ABP 6303 belonging to Kapena Transport which was Eastern bound failed to negotiate a curve making the bus to overturn,” Katongo disclosed.

“Among the dead are three juveniles, six male adults and eight female adults. The driver of the bus is among the 48 injured. The injured persons have since been admitted to Mumpashya and Katondwe Mission Hospitals respectively.”

She added that the bodies of the victims are being transported to the two above mentioned hospital mortuaries.

Katongo also appealed to members of the public who could have relatives on the bus to travel to Luangwa to help with identifying the bodies of the deceased.