It was still dark in Kabwe’s Makululu Compound when an emergency call came through to the fire brigade.
Around 01:40 hours, officers from the Kabwe Fire Brigade responded to House Number I 95 on Road 9 after reports of a newborn baby trapped in a pit latrine.
When they arrived, the situation was already critical.
Firefighters managed to retrieve the baby and quickly rushed it to Kabwe Central Hospital, but medical staff later confirmed the baby had been pronounced dead on arrival.
According to reports, the 20-year-old mother, Evelyn Nampundu, had gone to the pit latrine when she unexpectedly went into labour and delivered the baby. In the process, the newborn reportedly fell into the latrine.
Officers from the Zambia Police Service were also called to the scene, alongside residents who gathered after hearing the distressing news. The Kabwe Fire Brigade later confirmed the recovery operation and urged expectant mothers, especially those in advanced stages of pregnancy, to avoid using pit latrines due to safety risks.
The incident has left many in the community in shock, with discussions now growing around sanitation safety and emergency preparedness in high-density areas.
As investigations continue, attention has turned to how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.