One dead, 5 injured in quarry explosion
One boy has died while five others, all related, have been injured at Njuli Quarry in Chiradzulu District after a string-like object they put on fire exploded on Tuesday afternoon, police officials have confirmed.
Chiradzulu Police Station spokesperson Victoria Chirwa said the six, all from Chikusa Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpama’s area in Chiradzulu, were playing at the quarry when the incident happened around 4pm.
“We got a report around 8pm today [Tuesday] from the children’s uncle that there has been an incident at Njuli Quarry.
“According to the report, the boys were playing at the quarry when they discovered the object and placed it on a fire. It exploded leading to the death of James Grey,15, on the spot. Post-mortem conducted at Chiradzulu District Hospital revealed he died due to severe external bleeding,” said Chirwa.
He said among the five injured boys, one identified as Emmanuel Samuel, 11, sustained deep wounds on the right-hand side of his chest and he has been reffered to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).
She said the other four identified as Kelvin Elias, 11, Joseph Austin, 11, Chimwemwe Khulunya, 10, and Jonathan Maluwa, 11, have been admitted to Chiradzulu District Hospital after sustaining severe burns.
