8 killed, 5 injured as train hits minibus at railway crossing in Zambia

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Eight people were killed and five others injured when a minibus was hit by a train at a railway crossing in Zambia's Muchinga province on Saturday.

Seven people died on the spot, and one of the six injured died later in a hospital, according to Godfrey Chilabi, Zambia police assistant public relations officer, in a statement released in the capital, Lusaka.

The incident occurred while the train was traveling from Mpika in Muchinga Province to Serenje in Central Province, according to police.

Chilabi said the accident took place at about 9.00 am (around 0700GMT) and involved a Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority train and the minibus, with preliminary investigations indicating that there were 13 people aboard the minibus, including the driver.

“The accident occurred when the vehicle failed to stop at the rail crossing and was hit by the oncoming train," he added.

He said seven people died on the spot, including the minibus driver, four adults, and two children, while one child among five was hospitalized.

"The minibus driver has been identified as Enock Daka. The group was traveling from Lumbwata village to the Mpika Central Business District. We urge all motorists and other road users to use extreme caution when approaching and crossing railway tracks," Chilabi added.