Malawi roads tragedy: 6 killed in Dedza, 5 in Mzimba

At least six people have died and several others seriously injured after a passenger service bus they were travelling in collided with a 48 ton, heavy goods truck in Dedza, during the early hours  of Monday.

According to some eye witnesses interviewed by Nyasa Times, the truck, a freight liner registration number MB 48-48 belonging to TJF transport, which was coming from Lilongwe heading to Beira, missed its lane when it reached Dedza Islamic centre at around 1:00 am and bumped straight into the passenger bus, registration number RU 5115, which was ferrying passengers from Blantyre to Lilongwe.

Dedza police publicist Edward Kabango, told Nyasa Times that six of the several passengers in the bus have critical injuries, some having their legs amputated at Dedza district hospital.

Kabango said the driver of the truck, Gabriel Kalemba, who has Mozambican particulars is still in a critical condition as he has serious fractures on both of his legs such that he could not give his recount of the scene.

“We are still waiting for the condition of the truck driver to normalize before we get his side of the story” said Kabango.

Only three identities of the deceased have so far been established, among which is the bus driver, Costafu Chikondi Nkhata, 37, who hails from Malili Village, TA Kayembe, in Dowa district. The others are MacPherson Kamowa, 38, from Mbedza village, TA Kuntaja, Blantyre and Francis Nkhoma, an adult whose age could not be established, from Joriji Village, TA Mpama, Chiradzulu.

The injured were to be transferred to Kamuzu Central Hospital. This according to Dedza police, is the first major accident to happen in the district during the festive season.

Elsewhere

In Mzimba, four people have died while 3 others have sustained serious injuries  after a vehicle they were travelling in from Chikangawa to Mzimba got involved in an accident at Mzimba bridge  Monday morning.

Mzimba police spokesperson constable Gabriel Chiona said the driver  Ms Yamikani Kalumwiyo, 30  lost control of the vehicle after the rear left tyre got burst near the bridge at Mzimba river.

” The driver failed to control the vehicle and it hit both sides of the bridge and fell into the river,”said Constable Chiona.

Chiona said three people died on the spot while others were rushed to Mzimba district hospital where they are receiving treatment

The deceased are ; Bright Jiya 18 years of Kumponda Village in the area Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blantyre (2) Mclean Sakala 24, Manziri village ,T/A Kampingo sibande , Mzimba (3) Mr yona Mukumbwa 31 Chinuka village , T/A Mwaulambia in Chitipa (4) Jonathan Chilembo 56 of Makula village T/A Katumbi in Rumphi District

Meanwhile the bodies are lying at the same facility awaiting burial arrangements by relations.

The police are appealing to motorists to be on their guard and drive at the recommended speed as stipulated by the road signs. –(Reporting from Mzimba, Mchentche Banda – Nyasa Times)

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