Three people have been killed after two heavy-duty trucks collided and caught fire along the Great East Road in Kapete area of Chongwe District.
The accident happened on Saturday afternoon, about six kilometres from the Kapete checkpoint, after two trucks travelling in opposite directions collided head-on.
According to Chongwe Municipal Council Assitant Public Relations Officer Cecilia Mukonkela Musonda, the crash involved a truck belonging to Mwekache Transport, loaded with bags of groundnuts, and another operated by Chombo Transport.
Preliminary reports indicate that the accident occurred when one of the trucks attempted to overtake another vehicle, leading to the head-on collision.
Both vehicles burst into flames immediately after impact.
She says Fire crews from Chongwe Municipal Council were called to the scene around 14:10 hours and managed to extinguish the blaze.
But authorities say three bodies believed to be two men and one woman were later discovered burnt beyond recognition.
According to the Local Authority, earlier, police had rescued six occupants from the wreckage, including two minors, who were rushed to Chongwe General Hospital for treatment.
However, firefighters were later recalled to the scene after reports of a re-ignition, and managed to put out the fire a second time.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi has confirmed the development stating that among the deceacesed, one is a truck driver and the two are pssengers.
He has added that with other accidents recorded in Eastern, Copperbelt, Central, Lusaka, and Southern Provinces on June 13th 2026, ten lives have been lost and 5 injured.
By Best Jere
