Death toll in Mzuzu minibus accident rises

The number of people who have died following the collision of a lorry and a minibus at Lupaso in Mzuzu City on Thursday evening has increased to seven with 15 seriously injured.

Mzuzu Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola on Friday identified six of the deceased as Rueben Phiri of T/A Njolomole in Ntcheu; Ellen Chibambo of Kapandanjiwa Village, T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba; Lenzo Nyirenda (minibus driver), Black Kaunda, Dunken Kaunda and Raphael Chikazinga Nyirenda, all from Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi.

He said the seventh person was yet to be identified, but he described her as a female.

According to Chapola, four people died on the spot whereas three others died on Friday.

He said five of the deceased were in the minibus whereas two were in the lorry.

“We can confirm that seven people have died, 15 suffered serious injuries and are admitted to Mzuzu Central Hospital while five sustained minor injuries.

“Investigations are underway, but the driver of the lorry, Emmanuel Jere of Ekhazeni Village, T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba, will possibly be charged with causing death by reckless driving,” said Chapola.

According to a witness Julius Luhanga, the accident happened after a tyre of the minibus registration BP1818 heading to Mzuzu from Rumphi burst.