“It was Ethiopians”

Zambia’s Consul General to Katanga Province Davies Sankwana has clarified that the 19 people who died after suffocating in Lorry laden with fish on the Pedicle road are Ethiopians.

Sankawa said the bodies of the 19 Ethiopians were last evening,Thursday June 16, transported to Ndola General Hospital Mortuary from Mwenda area in Mokambo.

Sankwana says 76 Ethiopians and three Zambians are currently detained by Congolese Authorities in Lubumbashi.

He told journalist in Kitwe that of the 76 Ethiopians detained in Lubumbashi most of them are very weak and in a serious condition.

He added that according to investigations they were 98 people on the Lorry which was also laden with bundles of fish among them 95 Ethiopians Nationals and three Zambians in a suspected case of human trafficking.

Sankwana said the 98 Ethiopians are suspected to have entered Zambia through Nakonde into the Pedicle when they met their fate. He disclosed the Congolese Government has indicated that it will release to the Zambian Government the 79 who are currently detained in Lubumbashi. Nineteen Ethiopians died on Wednesday evening after suffocating in a lorry they were traveling in on the Pedicle road.