Five people have died while 12 others sustained various injuries following a road accident that occurred early Friday morning along the Salima–Balaka Road in Salima District.
According to Salima Police, the accident happened around 5am at Mikuju Village when a Toyota Hiace minibus registration number KK 4920 carrying 15 passengers collided head-on with a Toyota Dyna lorry registration number BZ 10410.
Salima Police public relations officer Sub Inspector Rabecca Ndiwate said the minibus was travelling from Salima towards Balaka when the driver allegedly swerved into the opposite lane at a right curve and crashed into the oncoming lorry, which was travelling from Balaka to Salima.
She said police identified the deceased lorry driver as Morris Matemba, 42, from Chechamba Village in Traditional Authority Kachindamoto in Dedza District.
The other victims were identified as Hilda Phiri, 24, from Saiti Village in Traditional Authority Ndindi, and Chitsanzo Ngwangwa, 32, from Chigombe Village in Traditional Authority Kalonga.
Police said one unidentified female passenger and one unidentified male passenger also died in the crash.
“All five victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at Salima District Hospital after sustaining severe head injuries,” said Ndiwate.
She added that both vehicles sustained extensive damage to their front parts due to the impact of the collision.
Meanwhile, police have appealed to motorists and other road users to strictly observe road traffic rules and regulations to help prevent similar accidents.
