Government has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of 12 soccer fans in a stampede at the Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Saturday.And President Mwanawasa has called for a thorough investigation into events that lead to the death of 12 soccer fans.
The stampede followed an international match in which Zambia beat Congo-Brazzaville 3-0.
Minister of Sports, Youth and Child Development, Gabriel Namulambe, said at a press briefing at Protea Hotel in Chingola yesterday that the ministry permanent secretary, Bob Samakai, would head the commission.
The commission would submit its finding to Government on Friday, this week.
Mr Namulambe said this after he and Copperbelt Province minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima, visited Konkola Mine Hospital for an on-the-spot check of the survivors.
“We are appealing for public calm as we wait for the outcome of the commission of inquiry…I expect to be furnished with information by Friday,†he said.
The deceased are a girl, four boys, a woman and six
men. A total of 50 people were injured during the incident and 36 were treated at the Konkola Mine Hospital.
Eleven survivors were discharged the same day while one is still in hospital.
And President Mwanawasa has conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
Mr Mwanawasa said this in a statement in Lusaka issued by his special assistant for press and public relations, John Musukuma.
“As we mourn with families, it is important that events leading to this tragic accident are thoroughly investigated and that measures are put in place to avoid a re-occurrence of similar tragedies,†he said.
President Mwanawasa also said the death of the 12 people had shattered his spirit of victory, as the lives were greater than the Zambia national team’s achievement.
“I have learnt with deep sense of sadness the tragic loss of 12 nationals who died and several injured in a stampede following our national team’s victory in the Africa Cup qualifying match against Congo-Brazzaville,†he said
And seven bodies of the 12 soccer fans who died after the stampede have been identified.
Chililabombwe district commissioner, Timothy Musonda, confirmed this in an interview yesterday.
Mr Musonda said six of the deceased were residents of Chililabombwe while the other one was from Lusaka.
He said the bodies were still lying in Konkola hospital mortuary.
However, Mr Musonda said the government was making arrangements to transport the body of the deceased Lusaka soccer fan to the capital city.
Mr Musonda also revealed that the Office of the Vice-President was assisting the families of the deceased with funeral expenses.
Meanwhile, several soccer fans who sustained injuries during the stampede were treated and discharged from the hospital in Chililabombwe.