7 killed in Chiweta road accident
Seven people have died in a road accident involving a minibus in Chiweta, Rumphi, police have confirmed.
Rumphi Police Station public relations officer Noel Kamchenga said in an interview that the identities of those killed and injured are yet to be ascertained.
He said a white minibus, registration MN 1467, was coming from Karonga and headed for Mzuzu.
Kamchenga said on ascent towards Mchenga Coal Mine, the minibus together with other vehicles on its lane were stopped to give way for vehicles from the opposite direction due to on-going construction works on the stretch.
“As the vehicle waited for the other motorists to pass, it started descending. We are not sure what caused the descent, but the driver lost control and he eventually jumped out, followed by the conductor.
“The minibus overturned several times and plunged into the depths of the escarpment. Four people, a woman and three men died on the spot while another died upon arrival at Rumphi District Hospital,” he said.
Kamchenga said police were working to establish identities of all passengers aboard the vehicle as of yesterday.
In March this year, Malawi Police Service reported an increase in crimes and a reduction in road accidents in 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
In its annual report the police said 1 001people died in 4 977 road accidents last year, representing about 6.2 percent decrease from 1 068 people who died in 2022.
Pedestrians were the most affected as 450 of them were killed followed by passengers who accounted for 254 and 119 pedal cyclists. On the other hand, 95 motorcyclists died last year along with 82 motor vehicle drivers and an-oxcart rider.
