The Zambia Police Service is investigating a fuel tanker explosion in Lusaka Industrial Area that claimed one life and left two people seriously injured.
Police public relations officer Chipo Kaitisha says the incident occurred yesterday October 26, 2026, around 17:40 hours, when three workers were transferring approximately 25,000 litres of diesel from a faulty ERF tanker to a hired Volvo tanker.
The explosion occurred at the top valves of the tanker’s last compartment while the workers were monitoring the transfer from the top, leaving all three with severe burns.
Ms. Kaitisha says the victims have been identified as Kondanani Phiri, 43, of George Compound; Phillimon Chitalusha, 39, of Makeni Villa; and Prince Ngongo, 23, of Salima area in Matero.
She says Mr. Phiri, who was driving the hired tanker, died while receiving treatment at Matero Level One Hospital, while the other two remain admitted.
The deceased body has been deposited at the University Teaching Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination.
And Police have opened an inquiry file, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
By Cherish Sibote
