24 year old Solwezi man dies from a gas explosion

A 24 year old man of Solwezi District in North Western Province has died on the spot while two others are nursing serious injuries after a gas compressor from the fridge that he was working on exploded.

Provincial Police Commanding Officer, Dennis Moola, who confirmed the incident in a statement to the media, identified the deceased as Lloyd Kaumba of Kazomba area.

"Solwezi Central Police St ation on 9th March 2024, at around 14:00 hours received a report of sudden and unnatural death that occurred on the same day at around 11:00 hours at Solwezi town center market along Kundundu road," he said.

"Mathews Kaumba aged 30 of Kazomba area reported that his young brother, Loyd Kaumba Jr aged 24 a fridge repair, also of the aforesaid abode has died after a gas compressor from the fridge that he was working on exploded," Mr Moola said.

Mr Moola said the deceased sustained multiple cuts on the right and left leg and also fractured his right hand and left leg.

"Brief facts of the matter are that, on 9th March,2024 the deceased person in the company of his two colleagues namely James Ilunga aged 22 of muzabula Area and Sydney Maleti aged 24 of Kimasala Area were busy with their usual work in the workshop.

As they were busy doing that, it was discovered that one of the fridges the deceased person was working on had gas leakages,” he said.

Mr Moola explained that as the latter was trying to restrain the leakage, in the process the gas compressor from the same fridge exploded.

He said all the three victims were rushed to Solwezi General Hospital where the deceased died upon arrival due to severe bleeding while the two victims are still in critical condition.

Mr Moola said the police visited the scene and the inquiry file was opened while the body of the deceased person has since been deposited at the Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.