By Tiyese Monjeza:
Eight people have died while nine others sustained injuries after a vehicle they were travelling in fell into Mapalo River in Zomba District on Sunday.
Zomba Police Station deputy publicist Aaron Chilala said the accident happened at 21:30 hours along the Domasi-Malosa M3 Road.
Chilala said a Toyota Hiace, registration MH 8238, was involved in the accident while being driven by Pongola Imani— who was driving from Domasi heading to Malosa with 36 passengers on board.
“The passengers were coming from a wedding and, upon arrival at Mapalo Bridge, the driver lost control of the motor vehicle due to speeding. It swerved to the extreme offside of the road, where it overturned once and landed in the river,” Chilala said.
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He said eight passengers died, identifying them as Saina Biliati, Mirriam Kalitendere, Adijah Kalonga, Amina Kalinoti, Lutani Piyasi, Lifa Banki, Saina Chombe and Mussa Ali.
“They sustained severe injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Zomba Central Hospital,” Chilala said.
He said nine other passengers escaped with injuries and are getting treated at the same facility.
The Eastern Region Police biannual report indicates that Zomba District recorded 16 deaths from 53 road accidents from January to June this year.
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