At least 13 people have died after a Mazda Bongo pickup they were travelling in was involved in an accident near Madziabango along the Blantyre-Chikwawa Road in Blantyre last night.
The accident occurred at Kamuzu View near Madziabango in Blantyre on Saturday night.
Blantyre Police Deputy publicist, Sgt. Aubrey Singanyama, has told the local media this morning that 10 other people were receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).
Singanyama said the accident involved a Mazda Bongo pickup registration number NE 5431 which had 24 passengers on board.
He alleged that the driver was speeding as the pickup was going to Chikwawa from Blantyre. He added that the driver lost control of the motor vehicle soon after passing Kamuzu View.
“The vehicle swerved and hit another motor vehicle which was heading same direction.
“Following the impact, the Mazda bongo pickup swerved to the extreme offside of the road where it overturned and landed into a trench.
“Due to the impact, 13 passengers were confirmed dead upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and several others sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the same health facility.
“The driver of the Mazda Bongo pickup escaped with minor injuries and run away,
Zodiak Online reported that communities around Kamuzu View mobilized themselves to rescue the people who were trapped while motorists took the injured persons to nearby Madziabango health centre and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre for treatment.
Last week, over 20 passengers also sustained injuries in Blantyre after a minibus crashed into another vehicle as the driver of the minibus was allegedly evading traffic police officers.
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