26 people die after minibus crashes into fuel tanker in Malawi

KASUNGU, Malawi, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) — Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said he and his wife are saddened by the tragic road accident that claimed 26 lives, including two children, Thursday on one of the country’s roads in Kasungu district, about 70 km north of Lilongwe, the Malawian capital.
According to police and eyewitnesses, the accident occurred when a minibus with 25 people on board hit a cyclist before colliding with a fuel tanker and catching fire, burning all the passengers on board to death.
The cyclist also died on the spot, bringing the death toll to 26.
A statement from Chakwera shared by his press office said the president and his wife are “deeply saddened by the tragic road accident.”
The president, who is on a state visit to Europe, has since condoled with the grieving families and friends on the loss of lives.
Meanwhile, police in Zomba, Malawi’s former capital, confirmed the deaths of four people in another road accident that also occurred Thursday, after the minibus they were traveling in overturned. Ten other passengers sustained injuries, and they were rushed to the city’s hospital. ■