Malawi VP, Chakwera mourn with SDA after lightning deaths
Vice President Khumbo Kachali and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Monday joined mourners in Lilongwe’s Area 36 for a funeral service of 7 of the 8 Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) members who died from a lightning accident whilst in church.
The eight who died on Saturday after lightning struck their church during service have been identified as five-year-old Princess Nachichi, 18-year-old Alan Jossam, Amos Tengeletu (16), Gertrude Alison (17), Alice Singini (16), Judith Kamwachali (18), Beut Ligowe (33) and Mary Juwawo (54).
Kachali and Chakwera braved the rains to mourn with SDA flock and extended sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the nine people who passed away after being struck by lightning.
“We in the Malawi Congress Party extend our deepest condolences to the friends, family and relatives of those who lost their lives during this tragedy. We also wish those who were injured a speedy recovery,” Chakwera said.
The MCP president described the lightning incident as tragic.
Police in Lilongwe has put the number of people injured at 40. Many were treated as outpatients on Saturday night at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH).
Patricia Chimwayi, one of the survivors admitted to KCH, said the incident happened around 4pm as members of the church were conducting bible study.
