BUCKLED TRACK AND WRECKED TRAIN; INVESTIGATORS; SEVERAL SHOTS OF WRECK; MEN WORKING TO CLEAR WRECKAGE; UPTURNED TRUCK; WRECKAGE; CROWD OF ONLOOKERS.




Initials AH/VS/JH/ES



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Background: A GOODSTRAIN LOADED WITH AMMONIA ACID AND COAL WAS DERAILED A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM LUSAKA STATION IN THE EARLY HOURS OF WEDNESDAY MORNING (NOVEMBER 19).

SPECIAL RAILWAY OFFICIALS FROM KABWE WERE RUSHED TO THE SCENE TO START AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH -- JUST ONE OF THE ALARMING NUMBER OF DERAILMENTS IN THE COUNTRY -- AND IN THE INITIAL STAGES, THE INVESTIGATORS DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SABOTAGE.

THOUGH THE TRAIN WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING AT ONLY 25 M.P.H. (40 KM/H), 21 TRUCKS WERE WRECKED IN THE CRASH -- ANOTHER SERIOUS LOSS TO THE COUNTRY'S PRECIOUS SUPPLY OF ROLLING STOCK. THE INVESTIGATORS IMMEDIATELY CORDONED OFF THE CRASH AREA.

THIS LATEST DERAILMENT CAME SHORTLY AFTER ZAMBIAN TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER UNIA MWILA HAD ANNOUNCED A NEW PLAN TO REVITALISE THE RAILWAY SYSTEM. THE PLAN INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW ADMINISTRATION WITH EXPERT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE, THE TOTAL ZAMBIANISATION OF THE RAILWAYS WITHIN THE NEXT SIX YEARS, AND MEASURES TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND CUT OUT STAFF INDISCIPLINE AND DRUNKENNESS. DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE STOCK WILL BE INTRODUCED AND A WORKING PROFIT IS AIMED AT FOR JUNE NEXT YEAR.