Chibombo bus crash
{{Short description|2013 disaster in Zambia}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Old news|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox public transit accident
| name = Chibombo bus crash
| image = 250px
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| caption = Location of Central Province in Zambia
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| date = 7 February 2013
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| location = Central Province
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| country = Zambia
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| injuries = 28
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{{Coord|14.658|S|28.073|E|region:ZM|display=title}}
{{Location map
| Zambia
| caption = Chibombo in Zambia
| label = Chibombo
| lat_deg = -14.658
| lon_deg = 28.073
}}
On 7 February 2013, a bus collided with a semi-truck and a sport utility vehicle on the Great North Road,{{cite web | url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/02/07/over-50-people-die-in-post-bus-accident/ | title=Over 50 people die in Post bus accident | work=Lusaka Times| date=7 February 2013 | accessdate=7 February 2013}} between the towns of Chibombo and Kabwe in the Central Province of Zambia,{{cite web | url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/02/08/relatives-of-post-bus-travelers-besiege-ndola-post-office/ | title=Relatives of Post bus travelers besiege Ndola Post office | work=Lusaka Times| date=8 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}} resulting in the deaths of 49 of the 73 persons on the bus,{{cite web | url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/02/08/74-year-old-mkushi-farmer-charged-for-causing-the-post-bus-accident/ | title=74-year-old Mkushi farmer charged for causing the POST Bus accident | work=Lusaka Times| date=8 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}} – Note: early news reported 53 fatalities. This figure of 51 is the number used by the police and the legal services.{{cite web | url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SA-man-caused-horror-Zambia-crash-20130208 | title=SA man caused horror Zambia crash | publisher=news24 | date=8 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}} and of the truck driver and his assistant.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/bus-crash-zambia-leaves-53-dead-article-1.1257880|title=Bus crash in Zambia leaves at least 53 dead, considered one of nation's worst traffic crashes – NY Daily News|work=Daily News|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=7 February 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/07/zambia-bus-crash|title=Dozens killed in Zambia as bus crashes into truck |date=7 February 2013|work=The Guardian|accessdate=7 February 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-10217-53+dead+in+Zambia+bus-truck+crash/news.aspx|publisher=AFP|title=53 dead in Zambia bus-truck crash|work=New Zimbabwe|accessdate=7 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209061558/http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-10217-53+dead+in+Zambia+bus-truck+crash/news.aspx|archive-date=9 February 2013|url-status=dead}} A further 28 people were injured.
The crash was one of the worst in the history of Zambia, and was compared to a 2005 bus accident in which 38 high school students died and another 50 were seriously injured.
Details
The 74-seat bus, operated by Zambia Postal Services, left Ndola, in the Copperbelt Province at 04:30 CAT, and was heading toward Zambia's capital, Lusaka. The road connecting Lusaka to Tanzania is a two-lane highway known for having heavy traffic. District Commissioner Priscilla Chisha reported that a sport utility vehicle attempting to pass the bus crashed head-on into an oncoming truck, sending it into the bus' path, while a survivor of the accident stated that the bus swerved into the truck to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Kanjela said that even hours after the crash it was not possible to enter the bus wreckage to determine if there were other trapped passengers.
=Criminal investigation=
An official of the office of the vice-president told press that all the vehicles involved were speeding.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21373965 | title=Zambia: Many dead in bus and lorry crash north of Lusaka | publisher=BBC | date=7 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}} The driver of the SUV, a farm manager from South Africa, was arrested and charged with "51 counts of causing death by dangerous driving", according to Kanjela.{{cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/sa-man-arrested-for-zambia-bus-crash-1.1467037|title=SA man arrested for Zambia bus crash|date=8 February 2013|work=IOL News|accessdate=23 November 2013}}
Reaction
President Michael Sata offered his condolences to the families of the victims; "We pray that the Lord almighty grants the bereaved families comfort and strength during this very painful period." Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni also offered condolences on behalf of the government, and pledged work would be done to minimise future tragedies.{{cite web | url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/02/07/president-sata-sends-condolences-to-families-of-53-deceased-road-traffic-accident-victims/ | title=President Sata sends condolences to families of 53 deceased road traffic accident victims | work=Lusaka Times| date=7 February 2013 | accessdate=7 February 2013}} On 8 February, the government declared three days of national mourning.{{cite web | url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/02/08/three-days-of-national-mourning-declared-in-honour-of-the-accident-victims/ | title=Three days of national mourning declared in honour of the accident victims | work=Lusaka Times| date=8 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}}
South African President Jacob Zuma offered his condolences to the people of Zambia in a statement stating "Our hearts go out to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts are with the injured as we wish them a speedy recovery."