Zambia Railways Confirms Fatal Bwana Mkubwa Derailment Following Runaway Shunt Movement
Zambia Railways Limited has confirmed a fatal derailment following a runaway shunt train movement at Bwana Mkubwa, near Ndola.
The incident occurred on 15 May 2026, at approximately 15:00, and involved locomotive 4346 and 11 coal-loaded wagons. The train reportedly experienced a runaway movement in the direction of Ndola before derailing and overturning between Bwana Mkubwa and Ndola Railway Station, near Itawa Bridge.
Following the derailment, preliminary reports indicated that two people who had been walking within the railway reserve strip may have been trapped beneath the overturned wagons. Search and recovery operations were initiated at the site, with work focused on lifting the overturned wagons and accessing the wreckage.
Zambia Railways Limited later confirmed that two bodies had been recovered from the derailment site. The bodies were handed over to the relevant authorities for identification and further procedures.
Recovery operations were supported by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit through the District Commissioner’s Office, together with the Fire Brigade, Zambia Police and other partner agencies. Additional lifting equipment, including a Zambia National Service excavator, was also deployed to assist with the recovery efforts.
Zambia Railways Limited said an investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the runaway movement and determine the full circumstances surrounding the accident.
The company extended its condolences to the families and others affected by the incident.
