24 die in a road accident

Twenty four people have died while several others have sustained serious and minor injuries following a fatal road accident that happened in Karonga district on Saturday.

Out of the twenty four, seventeen died on the spot while seven died while receiving treatment at Karonga District Hospital.

The accident involving a 10-tonner Hino Lorry registration number NA 6449, which was carrying players and supporters belonging to Nyungwe Football Club, which plays in FAM Moto Division One League, happened between Karonga and Chitipa on the M26 road at Tenenthe area.

Nyungwe Football Club was coming from playing their away fixture against Chitipa Hammers.

According to Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer George Mulewa, the accident happened after the driver 43-year-old Moses Mkandawire failed to negotiate a left bent due to speeding.

“It is true that there was an accident in Tenenthe hills around eight o’clock last night,” Mulewa said.

“What actually, happened was that there was a vehicle, which was coming from Chitipa heading to Karonga. It had 80 passengers who were supporters and players for Nyungwe Football Club. upon arrival at a certain place known as Tenenthe, the driver failed to negotiate the left bend at that particular place as a result he hit the road embankment ending up to the overturning of the vehicle,” he explained.

He added that following the impact seventeen passengers died on the spot while twelve others sustained serious injuries and seven of them died while receiving treatment at Karonga District Hospital.

“As of now, the casualties are receiving treatment at Karonga District Hospital. As police, we are still investigating about the accident so that we should find the identities of those who have died and at the same time, those injured,” Mulewa said.

Initially, twelve people sustained serious injuries but according to Mulewa it shows that the number might rise.

“Of course some had internal injuries, so the number of serious ones is likely also to change,” Mulewa said.

Following the accident, the Northern Region Football Association-NRFA suspended all NRFA activities that were slated for Sunday, which included games in the Simso-Innobuild league as well as FAM Moto Division One League as part of mourning those that have died in the accident.

“We can confirm that we have suspended all our league games. We have done this simply because we want to pay last respect to the departed souls who were on duty playing games in our region,” NRFA General Secretary Masiya Nyasulu said.

He added; “Also, we would want to pave way so that those supporters and guardians should take care of our friends who are still nursing injuries in the hospital.”

Meanwhile, the Malawi National Council of Sports-MNCS is calling upon all sporting disciplines to observe a moment of silence before commencing any sporting activities from today until the close of next weekend in memory of those that have died in the accident.

In a statement signed by MNCS Chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise, the Council said it has learnt with shock and sadness news that a vehicle carrying players, officials and supporters of Nyungwe Football Club, in Karonga was involved in a fatal accident on the way back from a game with Chitipa Hammers, resulting in severe loss of life and injuries.

“Council commiserates with the bereaved families and wishes a speedy and full recovery to all those who have sustained injuries,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera and the First Lady has paid tribute to those that have lost their lives in the accident and condoled their families.