20 women part of church group die, 38 hurt in Zambia crash

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) – At least 20 women, all members of a church group, were killed and dozens more injured in a road crash in northern Zambia on Monday.

The women were traveling on a truck that overturned on a main road at around dawn in Nsama, a district in Zambia’s Northern Province, according to the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).

At least 38 more women were injured in the accident, officials said.

All the victims are members of a women’s group of the United Church of Zambia.

Fredrick Mubanga, a spokesman for the RTSA, said an investigation has been started to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Police said the driver survived the crash with injuries.

The loss of life in Monday’s accident has shocked Zambia, a country where more than 32,000 road accidents were reported last year.

President Hakainde Hichilema led the condolences, issuing a statement offering “prayers to the church and the affected families.”