Seven people have died while 43 others have escaped with injuries after a vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Mlare in Karonga District.
Karonga Police Station spokesperson George Mulewa said the accident occurred in the afternoon of Sunday, when four people died on the spot while three died at Karonga District Hospital in the early hours of Monday.
The motor vehicle, a 10-tonner Scania lorry registration BZ 2986, which police say was being driven by Isaac Simfukwe, was coming from Karonga Boma and heading to Nyungwe direction with about 50 passengers on board.
“They were going to a funeral ceremony and, upon arrival at Mlare area, the front tyre burst, which resulted into the vehicle overturning,” Mulewa said.
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The four people died on the spot due to severe head injuries and fractures while others are getting treated at Karonga District Hospital.
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According to Mulewa, it is worrying that motorists continue using unroad-worthy vehicles, which is putting a lot of lives at risk.
This is the third accident to occur in the district this month.
In the first accident, at least 24 people died in a road accident after a 10-tonne vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Tenenthe Hills in Karonga District.
“The second accident occurred at the same place, where we lost about 24 people early this month. It is high time we stopped using vehicles that are used for ferrying cargo to carry people,” he said.
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Commenting on the development, Joel Jere, Executive Director for Road Safety Alert, said motorists should be cautioned as, sometimes, they deliberately disregard the status of roads and road signs.
“We need our law enforcers to be alert and vigilant. A lorry is not a passenger vehicle. Everyone has a duty to play in reducing cases of road accidents,” he said.
Speaking during the burial of the 24 people, Paramount Chief Kyungu called on Malawians to cooperate with law enforcement officers and government agencies to ensure that road regulations are keenly followed and cases of accidents are averted.
