27 suspected male migrants found dead by roadside in Zambia

The police in Zambia say they found 27 male corpses of suspected migrants by a roadside in the Ngwerere area north of Lusaka, the country’s capital.

According to a statement on Sunday by Danny Mwale, deputy police public relations officer, the corpses are believed to be migrants from Ethiopia.

They were reportedly found on Sunday around 6pm local time, while another person, who was still alive at the time of the discovery of the corpses, has been taken in for medical treatment.

“Members of the public in Lusaka’s Ngwerere area discovered suspected dead bodies around 06:00 hours,” the statement read.

“Police officers were alerted and quickly rushed to the scene where they found one gasping for life.

“He was rushed to the Hospital by a concerned member of the public where he is currently receiving medical attention.

“Our preliminary investigations indicate that a total number of 28 persons, all males aged between 20 and 38, were dumped in Meanwood Nkhosi along Chiminuka road in Ngwerere area by unknown people.

“Out of the 28 persons, one was found gasping for life. They are all believed to be Ethiopian nationals.

“All the 27 bodies have since been deposited in the University Teaching Hospitals mortuary awaiting formal identification and postmortem.

“Police and other security wings have since instituted investigations into the matter.”

Migrants from Ethiopia are sometimes found en route South Africa in Zambia.

In August 2022, 51 migrants from Ethiopia, who were on their way to South Africa, were apprehended in Zambia.

They were said to have travelled for four months in “containerised trucks” and were in search of better living opportunities in South Africa.