FIVE people are feared dead after part of the earth caved in as they were working on a sewer line in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill area.
The men, who had been engaged by a private contractor, were working on the sewer line on private property when part of the earth collapsed on them while in a ditch.
Scores of curious onlookers rushed to the scene of the accident as the fire brigade struggled to retrieve the five people last evening.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed the incident last night, but could not give further details, saying she was out of the office at the time.
Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) said as concerned stakeholders, it would appeal to relevant authorities such as the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to suspend the works.
LSWC spokesperson, Topsy Sikalinda said there was no public safety guaranteed when carrying out the works on some private properties.
“As stakeholders LWSC will appeal to relevant authorities to have the works suspended because the issue of public safety has been compromised here,” said Mr Sikalinda, who was at the scene of the accident.
By Press time, fire fighters were still trying to retrieve the men after the fatal accident which occurred around 17:30 hours.
The men were working on private property and LWSC was trying to establish the owner.
“The earth is suspected to have fallen on them and the fire brigade is here trying to retrieve the people,” Mr Sikalinda said.
Two weeks ago, a similar incident happened in the same area.
Times of Zambia
YABA YABA… THIS IS TRAGIC.