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A 38-year-old truck driver died and Kankumba Bridge on the Great East Road was closed to traffic after two Volvo trucks collided late Wednesday night, Zambia Police Service confirmed Friday.
The fatal road traffic accident occurred on June 25, 2026, around 23:30 hours at Kankumba Bridge in Sinjela Area, Rufunsa District. Both vehicles were traveling in the same direction, police said.
Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi confirmed this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday.
According to Chilabi, the first vehicle, a Volvo truck and trailer with registration numbers BLD 5219 ZM and BBC 8553 T, was stationary at the entrance of Kankumba Bridge facing east after developing a mechanical fault.
The driver, Prince Malumbe, aged 50, of Kafue District, escaped unhurt.
The second vehicle, a Volvo truck and trailer with registration numbers AJE 4086 ZM and EJE 4827 T, was driven by Wisdom Sakala, aged 38, of Chipata District. It collided with the stationary truck.
“As a result of the collision, Mr. Sakala sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chongwe District Hospital,” he said.
Sakala’s body has been deposited in the hospital mortuary, awaiting post-mortem examination.
A passenger in the second vehicle, Gabriel Lungu, aged 43, of Jack Compound in Lusaka, sustained injuries.
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“Gabriel Lungu, aged 43, of Jack Compound in Lusaka, sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at Chongwe District Hospital,” Chilabi said.
After striking the stationary truck, the second vehicle lost control, struck the Acrow Bridge, and overturned onto its right side.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the second vehicle may have failed to notice the stationary truck ahead, resulting in the collision and subsequent loss of control.
Following the accident, Kankumba Bridge along the Great East Road remains closed to traffic in both directions.
Chilabi said the Zambia Police Service and the Road Transport and Safety Agency are conducting recovery operations and clearing the accident scene.
“Police officers have been deployed to regulate traffic and ensure public safety. Motorists are urged to comply with traffic instructions, use alternative routes where possible, and exercise extreme caution when approaching the area,” he said.
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