Hailstorm kills student, destroys 60 homes

A student at Khwawa Community Day Secondary in Karonga School has died following a hailstorm which destroyed almost 60 homes on the southern part of Karonga. Zasintha Mwakhwawa, a form one learner, was in a kitchen when the heavy winds ripped the roof on Sunday morning. Member of Parliament for Karonga South constituency, Reverend Malani Mtonga, said the boy was pronounced dead on arrival at Karonga District Hospital.   At least 60 households have also been destroyed in Khwawa, Hara, Sangiro and Hangalawe. Also affected are classrooms at Chisumbu Primary School, Khwawa and Sangiro.  Karonga district disaster and risk management officer Walusungu Mwafulirwa said the affected households need urged relief items, especially food and shelter. In the picture, a man poses on the rubble of his fallen house.—Joseph Mwale, Mzuzu Bureau Superior