/ 26 December 2003

Cloudburst in Zambia kills four

Four people died and several others were injured in the Zambian capital Lusaka on Christmas after more than 100 houses collapsed following torrential rain, state-run media reported on Friday.

Police sources quoted in the Times of Zambia said the collapses occurred in two teeming shantytowns in the city and said many people were injured.

Police confirmed the incident but gave no details.

”It’s true the incident happened but we are unable to give figures at the moment until we verify them with other authorities,” police spokesperson Brenda Muntemba said.

The affected areas are John Laing and Chawama, located about 20km from the city centre. — Sapa-AFP