A 43-year-old man has died and two others have sustained severe burns after a diesel tanker exploded during a fuel transfer operation in Lusaka’s Industrial Area, according to local media reports.
The deceased, identified as Kondanani Phiri, 43, of George Compound, died while receiving treatment at Matero Level One Hospital following the explosion, which occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on Monday.
The two other workers, Phillimon Chitalusha, 39, of Makeni Villa, and Prince Ngongo, 23, of the Salima area in Matero, remain hospitalised at the same facility.
According to police, the three workers were transferring diesel from a white ERF semi-trailer tanker that had developed a mechanical fault into a hired white Volvo FM9 tanker.
Police spokesperson Chipo Kaitisha said the ERF tanker was carrying approximately 25,000 litres of diesel scheduled for delivery to a client that day.
She said the workers were monitoring the fuel transfer from the top of the tanker when an explosion occurred near the valves of its last compartment.
“All three workers sustained severe burns and were rushed to Matero Level One Hospital for medical attention,” Kaitisha said.
Phiri, who was driving the hired Volvo tanker, later died while receiving treatment, while the two other workers remained under medical care.
Police said the hired Volvo tanker, with registration number CAG 3868 ZM, reportedly belonged to Pisa Transport Company, based in Matero, while the faulty ERF tanker had registration number ABR 4863.
Phiri’s body has been deposited at the University Teaching Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
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