55 passengers miraculously escape death after bus catches fire on Mansa-Chembe Road. One injured in stampede.

 ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE

 PRESS STATEMENT

October 19, 2025 – Chembe Police Station recorded a fire incident involving a bus belonging to P. Mwansa, which was extensively damaged. The incident occurred on October 18, 2025, around 14:00 hrs along Mansa–Chembe Road at Lukola Area.

Police received a report and rushed to the scene with officers from the Fire Department at Chembe Town Council, approximately 30 kilometers from Chembe Central Business District.

Upon arrival, officers found a Zhongtong bus, Reg. No. ASB 2276, fully ablaze. Efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful due to its intensity.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver, Peter Mwansa, 38, was driving the bus from Kitwe to Samfya when he noticed smoke coming from the gear shift mechanism. He immediately stopped the bus, and all 55 passengers were safely evacuated.

During the evacuation, a passenger, Prudence Kunda, 56, of Kitwe District, sustained a leg injury in a stampede. 

Several passengers lost personal belongings, the total value of which is yet to be determined.

Police issued a Medical Report Form to the injured passenger, who received treatment at Lukola Rural Health Centre.

An inquiry file has been opened to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Issued by:

Godfrey Chilabi

Deputy Public Relations Officer

Source ZNBC Today