Seven people have died and several passengers escaped with various injuries after a bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident in Ntcheu around midnight on Wednesday.
The bus, a Scania registration NA 4430 belonging to Premier Bus Services was travelling from Blantyre to Lilongwe with about 60 passengers on board.
Ntcheu Police spokesperson Gift Matewere said upon reaching Mlangeni Trading Centre, the driver allegedly failed to negotiate a bend and lost control before it overturned.
“It is alleged that the driver was sleeping while driving due to fatigue and he failed to negotiate a bend which led to the accident,” he said.
Matewere said seven people died on the spot while two others sustained serious internal injuries and were referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital. Several others escaped with minor injuries and were admitted to Ntcheu District Hospital.
When The Nation contacted Premier Bus Services managing director, Luta Winga, for comment he asked for more time, saying he was busy helping the affected people in Ntcheu.
Matewere disclosed that the driver, Richard Nyirenda, 40, of Katolola Village, Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga, will be charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to Section 121 of the Road Traffic Act.
The Police have so far identified the casualties as a two-year-old child and two adults namely Dobs Phiri, 40, of Chirichembere Village, T/A Tchekutcheku, Neno and Loveness Malijani, 38, of Mazengera Village, T/A Mazengera Lilongwe.
