27 Bodies Discovered In Zambia

27 bodies of migrants from Ethiopia which were  dumped by the roadside in Ngwerere area north of Zambia’s capital Lusaka has been discovered.

The cause of their death is likely to be suffocation to death while in transit.

Police Spokesperson Danny Mwale had given the reports.

One survivor found “gasping for air” has been rushed to a local hospital, he said.

Zambia is a transit point for migrants, mostly from the Horn of Africa, who want to reach South Africa.

Mr Mwale said residents of Ngwerere found the bodies on Sunday at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT).

He said the police believe the migrants are Ethiopian nationals based on the identity documents found on them.

“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,” the police said in a statement.

The bodies have been taken to Zambia University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

In neighbouring Malawi, the authorities discovered 25 bodies of Ethiopian migrants in a mass grave in October.

The police there said they had evidence to link the stepson of Malawi’s ex-President Peter Mutharika to the grim discovery.