LUSAKA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Zambian authorities on Thursday held a mass burial for 21 women who were victims of a road traffic accident earlier this week in Nsama district, north of the country.
A total of 21 bodies from the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) were buried after a service attended by Mutale Nalumango, the country's Vice President at an open playing ground, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.
Pictures on social media showed the coffins of the 21 women laid in a long line draped in the colors of the uniform won by the Women Christian Fellowship (WCF) of the UCZ.
The Zambian vice president said the government was concerned with the increase in rod traffic accidents resulting in deaths and called on relevant departments to intensify safety sensitizations.
Leonard Mbao, the Minister for Northern Province, thanked the government for its support towards funeral arrangements and expenses to bury the victims.
He said the province was grieved by the death of the 21 women, who died in the early hours of Sept. 19 when a truck they were traveling in overturned due to overs-speeding as it was descending a hill.
They were among 58 women from the UCZ returning from a conference. More than 30 others were injured.
Deadly road accidents are frequently reported in Zambia, often caused by the poor state of roads, reckless driving, and some instances of overloading. ■
