A group of 18 pupils from Mazabuka Girls and St. Edmunds Secondary Schools in Zambia narrowly escaped death after the minibus they were travelling in caught fire.

The incident occurred on the evening of 9th October 2024, near Research offices within Zambia Sugar Estate.

Southern Province Commissioner of Police Auxensio Daka has confirmed the incident and said the fire developed from a mechanical fault on the Toyota Hiace vehicle.

The bus was being driven by 27-year-old Simon Moonga from the Mukokomba area, who was dropping off the pupils in their respective residential areas after school hours.

Daka reported that all the occupants managed to get out safely, although the bus was destroyed by the fire.