Zambia: Stampede over food kills at least 10

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - The Zambian government on Monday canceled an outreach food program organized by the Church of Christ after a deadly stampede in the capital Lusaka claimed over 10 lives and left several people seriously injured.

Police spokeswoman Mwata Katongo told journalist that the death toll is likely to rise as the number of people critically injured currently in hospitals was very high.

"Starving people gathered at the Olympic Youth Development Center, (OYDC) in Lusaka, to receive free food when the stampede happened,” she said.

“The cancelation of the feeding program is not only for the safety of the organizers but also to facilitate investigations into the matter,” she added.

According to police, over 35,000 people had gathered at the youth center to receive food.

According to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, certain parts of Zambia, including Lusaka, Southern, Central and parts of Northern Province are likely to face starvation in the coming months.