During a church trip, a lorry overturned on a route in northern Zambia, killing at least 23 ladies and injuring many more.
Six more were pronounced dead when they arrived at a nearby clinic, while seventeen people passed away there and then.
The United Church of Zambia’s Women’s Christian Fellowship organization was involved in the accident that occurred on Sunday in the Nsama district.
The lorry was carrying 51 passengers. The driver survived but sustained injuries.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the driver was speeding and failed to negotiate a curve, according to the state-owned Times of Zambia newspaper.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who is away in New York for the UN General Assembly, has condoled the families of the victims.
He wrote on his Facebook page: “We are saddened to hear the tragic news of the [women] who died in a road accident in the early hours of this morning…
“We send our message of condolences and prayers to the church and the affected families to find comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ. We also wish the injured, a quick recovery.”