15 feared dead at deadliest Dunduzu accident in Mzuzu

About 15 people are feared dead in what could be the deadliest accident in the northern city of Mzuzu and scores of people have sustained life threatening injuries.

Mzuzu police PR Martin Bwanali confirmed 14 deaths and said more than 30 people are receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital following the fatality.

Bwanali said the accident involved four vehicles namely a Tipper registration number BQ 9942 Ashkok Leyland which after failing to negotiate a corner hit three other vehicles in a row which were heading the opposite direction.

The Tipper belonging to Plem Construction was coming from Ekwendeni direction heading towards Mzuzu city.It carried gravel soil for the construction of the road at Area Four in Mzuzu.

“Upon reaching Msiki area situated between Dunduzu roadblock and Ekwendeni it firstly hit a three tonner lorry before further hitting two minbuses which were coming behind the lorry.

“The lorry registration number MZ 1195 Mitsubishi Canter and the two minibuses registration number NA 102 NV 200 and KA 6849 Toyota Hiace  were all heading towards Ekwendeni direction

“One of the minibus had carried Sunday School members of Chiputula CCAP who were on their way to Karonga for a church activity,” Bwanali said in a statement seen by Nyasa Times.

Police spokesman said they are  yet to identify the particulars of the deceased.

“The whereabout of the driver of Tipper is not known.The other drivers are receiving medical treatment,” he said.

Student killer driver charged

In another accident in Mzuzu city, a driver of a minibus that killed a Mzuzu University (Mzuni) student on Wednesday handed himself to police and has been charged for “reckless driving.”

Mussa Gama, 28, from Chimala Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nyambi in Machinga, was driving a minibus that caused the death of Semu Solomon Banda, a first year student. Banda met his fate while on his way to school to finalise his registration.

Gama, who was driving the minibus registration MZ 1410, was coming from Ekwendeni direction heading to Mzuzu. The vehicle was set on fire soon after the accident as police took time to get to the scene.