THREE military personnel in Kabwe have been seriously injured after an explosive device they were handling, exploded while they attempted to open it.
The officers, two from the Zambia Army and the other from Zambia Air force (ZAF) are admitted to Kabwe General Hospital after they allegedly attempted to open a bomb shell using a grinder. But the device exploded blowing off one officer’s hand.
Two of the officers are admitted to ward nine, while the other is in the intensive care unit and his condition has been described as critical.
Hospital sources and Central Province Commissioner of police Standwell Lungu confirmed the incident in separate interviews yesterday.
But Mr Lungu could not give further details saying investigations were underway to establish what happened. He said, however, that this could only be done once the officers were discharged from hospital.
“I can confirm that we are investigating a case in which some officers from Zambia Army and ZAF were injured but we don’t have details on what exactly happened,” he said.
But sources said the incident happened after 17:00 hours in Lukanga Township on Wednesday when the officers were allegedly trying to open a bombshell also known as a MSG60-MM using a grinder, but it exploded leaving them with serious injuries.
The three have been identified as Brian Chama a ZAF officer, Domingo Harris and Paul Sichwaya both from Zambia Army in Kabwe
Mr Sichwaya had his hand from his wrist cut off as well as forefingers on his right hand while Mr Chama sustained a cut on his palm and Domingo had a swollen arm.
Times of Zambia
mwape chewe
that is too bad we pray for them