The incident occurred when several people gathered at Great Lakes Products (GLP) in Mpulungu after they learnt that the owner of the fishing company, Sahran Salim, was in town and would employ some casuals.
The job seekers that had gathered by the premises grew impatient, overpowered the guard and stormed in the premises around 07:30 hours. It was during the ensuing stampede that the death of the nine people occurred.
Salim, who is based in Kitwe, usually travels to Mpulungu and during his stay, employs casuals and the remuneration is impressive as it involves wages and foodstuffs.
Mpulungu District Medical Officer, Dr Mukuka Sampa confirmed that eight people were brought-in-dead and that the hospital had so far treated 38 victims while six remained in a critical condition. The ninth victim died on the way to Mbala Hospital where she was evacuated.
The deceased are Elizabeth Nakazwe, Doris Nalungwe, Purity Chansa, Ruth Nanyangwe, Luse Ngoana, Lizzy Mwimanzi, Kapembwa Mwimanzi and Mary Namwinga while the name of the ninth victim had not been released.
Dr Sampa said the hospital was making arrangements to evacuate patients to Mbala General Hospital.
Among the dead were two school-going girls from Musende Basic School.
District education board Secretary Josephine Mabuku Sipalo expressed shock over the death of the pupils.
Sipalo said Mpulungu has lost two future leaders who would have contributed to the economic development of the nation.
Northern Province permanent secretary Emmanuel Mwamba also confirmed the stampede and deaths.
He said the provincial minister, who is also the area member of parliament, Freedom Chomba Sikazwe, had rushed to Mpulungu to help handle the disaster.
Mwamba directed Mpulungu district administrative officer Monday Chapewa and Mbala district commissioner Best Kabulembe to join forces with the team from Kasama to see how best to handle the crisis.
Mwamba said he had directed the deputy police commissioner Lackson Sakala to also rush to Mpulungu and coordinate the security issues with officers from Mbala.
He said Mpulungu Hospital was overwhelmed and has a small mortuary a situation that may require that bodies be transferred to Mbala.
He directed provincial medical officer, Dr Jelita Chinyonga, to rush to Mpulungu and coordinate medical matters and ensure that a medical team from Kasama, Mbala and Mpulungu is assembled to deal with the situation.
A large part of Mpulungu’s population depends on jobs from fishing companies that operate in the area.