A 14-year-old girl is among three people that have died after consuming whiskey and vodka in two separate incidences reported in Mwansabombwe and Mumbwa districts of Luapula and Central provinces.
Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has said that in the Mumbwa incident in which two people have died, Mwelwa Musa,aged 14 is among the victims.
He said that the 14-year-old is believed to have met her fate when she met up with her 19-year-old female friend and five guys so that they could go and watch traditional dancers “Vinyau” around 19:00 hours on July 4th.
“The incident happened when the now deceased who was with a female friend aged 19 met five male persons aged 26,31,23 and 20 who resides within the neighbourhood enroute to watch traditional dances called “Vinyau” within Lubemba village. On the way, one male among them bought a bottle of whisky in a bar. Upon arrival at the main arena for the dances all of them drunk the whisky using one cup in turns,” he said.
He said later all of them got drunk and the two girls started vomiting while the males had headache and stomach pains and walked to their respective homes with struggles.
“Thereafter the condition of the deceased worsened and she was taken to Mumbwa District hospital where she died around 08:50 hours on July 5, 2022.
At around 21:00 hours Willie Shambuluma aged 26 who was among them also died at Mumbwa hospital after severe vomiting and having lost sight,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga says the other five victims went to the hospital and are currently on medication and their condition is stable.
In a related development a 28-year-old of Mwansabombwe district has died after consuming Nikolai Vodka.
“An Environmental district health officer for Mwansabombwe Elady Chifwembe aged 31 had been admitted at Kazembe rural health center on grounds that he had been feeling dizzy and experiencing sudden blindness after consuming a Nikolai Vodka.He further stated that Cosmas Lungu aged 28 died on July 5,2022 around 12:00 hours at Mbereshi Mission Hospital, after a referral from Kazembe clinic who also complained having sadden blindness, dizziness and loss of appetite,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga says that an inquiry file has been opened and the Nikolai vodka 750 Millilitres bottle has been confiscated by the health officers for further investigation as the sample will be brought to Lusaka for examination.
(Mwebantu)