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17 people die, 50 injured in road accidents in Zambia over national holiday

04 July 2012 20:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least 17 people died while 50 were seriously injured in road traffic accidents during Zambia’s long weekend for Heroes and Unity holiday from last Saturday to this Tuesday, a police spokesperson said on Wednesday,APA reports quoting XInhua.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said in a statement that 225 road traffic accidents were reported throughout the country during the Heroes and Unity holiday resulting in deaths and injuries. She however said the casualties represents a decrease compared to last year when 24 people died during the Heroes and Unity holiday while 68 were injured. A total of 236 accidents occurred last year.

According to the police spokesperson, most accidents were caused by failure to observe traffic rules such as over-speeding, overtaking improperly and failing to observe traffic lights.

Meanwhile, the police recorded five cases of defilement during the long week-end in different parts of the country, according to the police.