Zambia: A gas compressor explosion in the Solwezi District has claimed the life of a 24-year-old man identified as Lloyd Kaumba. The deceased was a resident of the Kazomba area of the Solwezi District.
The blast also caused serious injuries to two other victims who were working on the fridge before the explosion. The officials have confirmed that the other victims are receiving treatment at the hospital and are currently in critical condition.
Provincial Police Commanding Officer, Dennis Moola, confirmed the incident in a statement to the media. In the statement, he also disclosed the identity of the deceased victim and shared details of the unfortunate incident.
According to the police report, the incident happened on Saturday at approximately 11:00 hours. The victims were working at the Solwezi Town Center market along the Kundundu Road.
The police received the report of the death of Lloyd Kaumba at 14:00 Hours. The brother of the deceased, Mathews Kaumba, who also lives in the Kazomba area, reported the accident.
He claimed that Loyd Kaumba Jr, who worked as a fridge repairman died after a gas compressor from the fridge that he was working on exploded.”
Commanding Officer Moola noted that the deceased sustained multiple cuts on the right and left leg. He also fractured his right hand and left leg as a result of the explosion.
At the time of the incident, the deceased was with his two colleagues, namely James Ilunga, aged 22, of Muzabula Area and Sydney Maleti, aged 24, from Kimasala Area. They were busy with their usual work in the workshop when the incident happened.
The suspects were busy repairing the fridge. At this time, it was discovered that one of the fridges the deceased person was working on had gas leaks. Moola explained that as the latter was trying to restrain the leakage, the gas compressor from the same fridge exploded.
He said all the three victims were rushed to Solwezi General Hospital. The deceased died upon arrival due to severe bleeding while the two victims are still in critical condition.
Commanding Officer Moola said the police visited the scene after the report was filed. The investigation has started. Meanwhile the body of the deceased person has since been deposited at the Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.