By Isaac Zulu
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has indefinitely suspended passenger train operations in Zambia, owing to the disclocation of a Rescue Crane.
TAZARA Head of Corporate Affairs Conrad Simuchile has confirmed the development, saying that the Rescue Crane disclocated and collapsed in Lwitikila river in Mpika district.
“We regret to announce the suspension of the passenger train services in Zambia, due to the occurrence on 10th March, 2023 of an accidental involving a Rescue Crane which disclocated bridge Number 299 in Mpika, rendering the main track impassable,” Simuchile stated. “Consequently, the section between Mpika and Sabwa is temporarily closed for repair. This in effect means that passenger train operations in Zambia have been disrupted and shall remain suspended until further notice.”
He, however, stated that the railway company would continue running the passenger train between Mbeya on the Zambian and Dar-es-Salaam on the Tanzanian sides.
“In the meantime, in Tanzania, the Kilimanjaro passenger train will continue to run between Dar-es-Salaam and Mbeya, based on the usual train, departing schedules; on Friday, Wednesday and Saturday. departing Dar-es-Esalaam and Mbeya only based on usual. The Authority deppletely regrets any inconveniences caused to our esteemed customers. We alas take this opportunity to assure the public that our engineers are working around the train to restore normal train service as possible,” Simuchile further stated.
