ZRL train derails in Mazabuka

A ZAMBIA Railways Limited (ZRL) goods train has derailed in Mazabuka near Kabobola area. The train was carrying coal from South to North off the rail line.

A ZAMBIA Railways Limited (ZRL) goods train has derailed in Mazabuka near Kabobola area.

The train was carrying coal from South to North off the rail line.

ZRL acting public relations manager, Sombe Ng’onga, said preliminary investigations revealed that the derailment was caused by a blocked drainage that buried the rail line due to heavy rain.

Ms Ng’onga said in a statement that the train was transporting coal from Batoka to Ndola.

She however explained that it was just a locomotive that has capsized while 24 wagons carrying coal were intact.

There were no fatalities. “They are safe and injury free as well as no damage has been made to the rail line,” she said.

Ms Ng’onga said the railway firm was working round the clock to ensure that the disruption to train services was as minimal as possible.

She said a recovery team was already on site with the immediate priority of ensuring that the capsized locomotive was re-railed.

“The process of opening the line will then follow and is expected to be completed within 24 hours from the time the derailment occurred,” Ms Ng’onga said.

She assured ZRL clients that every effort was being made to ensure that there was adequate security at the scene to safe guard both the cargo and equipment.

Meanwhile, Ms Ng’onga appealed to members of the public to desist from trading or building structures near the railway line.

She said the derailment in Southern Province underscored the need for people to stay away from the railway line, as derailments could cause catastrophic consequences if safety regulations were ignored.