View source for 2013 Chibombo bus crash

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox bus accident
|title    = Chibombo bus crash
|location = [[Central Province, Zambia|Central Province]]
|image    = [[File:ZM-Central.png|250px]]
|caption  = Location of Central Province in Zambia
|date     = 7 February 2013
|country  = [[Zambia]]
|deaths   = 51<ref>http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbcnews.com/50744164#50744164</ref>
|injuries = 28
}}

On 7 February 2013, a bus collided with a [[semi-truck]] and a [[sport utility vehicle]] on the [[Great North Road]],<ref name="Lusaka Times 2">{{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 | publisher=Lusaka Times | date=7 February 2013 | accessdate=7 February 2013}}</ref> between the towns of [[Chibombo]] and [[Kabwe]] in the [[Central Province, Zambia|Central Province]] of [[Zambia]],<ref name="Lusaka Times 3">{{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 | publisher=Lusaka Times | date=8 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}}</ref> resulting in the deaths of 49 of the 73 persons on the bus,<ref name="Casualties">{{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 | publisher=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.</ref><ref name="news24 1">{{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}}</ref> and of the truck driver and his assistant.<ref name="Daily News">{{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 (New York)|Daily News]]|publisher=The Associated Press|accessdate=7 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/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}}</ref><ref name="New Zimbabwe">{{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}}</ref> A further 28 people were injured.<ref name="Lusaka Times 3"/>

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.<ref name=Guardian />

==Details==
The 74-seat bus, operated by [[Zambia Postal Services]], left [[Ndola]], in the [[Copperbelt Province]] at 04:30 [[Central Africa Time|CAT]],<ref name="Lusaka Times 3" /> and was heading toward Zambia's capital, [[Lusaka]].<ref name="Lusaka Times 2" /><ref name="New Zimbabwe" /> The road connecting Lusaka to [[Tanzania]] is a [[two-lane highway]] known for having heavy traffic.<ref name="Daily News" /> District Commissioner Priscilla Chisha reported that a [[sport utility vehicle]] attempting to pass the bus crashed [[Head-on collision|head-on]] into an oncoming truck, sending it into the bus' path,<ref name=Guardian /> while a survivor of the accident stated that the bus swerved into the truck to avoid an oncoming vehicle.<ref name="New Zimbabwe" /> 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.<ref name=Guardian />

===Criminal investigation===
An official of the office of the [[Vice-President of Zambia|vice-president]] told press that all the vehicles involved were [[speeding]].<ref name="BBC1">{{cite web | url=http://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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Casualties" /><ref name="IOLnews">{{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}}</ref>

==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."<ref name="Guardian" /> Chief Government spokesperson [[Kennedy Sakeni]] also offered condolences on behalf of the government, and pledged work would be done to minimise future tragedies.<ref name="Lusaka Times 1">{{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 | publisher=Lusaka Times | date=7 February 2013 | accessdate=7 February 2013}}</ref> On 8 February, the government declared three days of [[national mourning]].<ref name="Lusaka Times 4">{{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 | publisher=Lusaka Times | date=8 February 2013 | accessdate=8 February 2013}}</ref>

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."<ref name="news24 1" />

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:2013 in Zambia]]
[[Category:2013 road incidents]]
[[Category:Central Province]]
[[Category:Road incidents in Zambia]]
[[Category:Road traffic accidents]]