Malawi train kills 12 cattle, a driver beaten up

Twelve cows have been killed while two others injured after they were hit by Central East African Railways Train in Malawi’s eastern district of Balaka.

Police say the accident happened at Nkaya ‘Julius village’ just after Mulunguzi Bridge on Wednesday.

“The train was coming from the direction of Liwonde heading Zalewa and upon arrival at Mulunguzi Bridge the locomotive driver Rodgers Piston saw a herd of cattle ahead of him.

“He hooted twice but the cows did not move out the railway line and ended up beating them killing twelve on the spot and injuring two,” says Balaka police spokesperson, Sub-Inspector Joseph Sauka.

Sauka says after the accident the community pounced on the driver and detained the train a development that forced the Police and officers from Central East African Railways head office to rush to the scene.

“The train was released after 5 hours following discussions between the Police, CEAR officials and the owner of the cattle” said Sauka.

Meanwhile, Police has summoned both the owner of the cattle Mr Dickson Chimbalanga and Central East African Railways officials for further discussions.

However, the law clearly states that a railway line premises is a protected area and Police is therefore appealing to the general public not to graze animals along the railway line and to be observant when crossing the railway line.