Five people are reported dead while eight others are battling for their lives at Chikwawa District Hospital after the vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Bereu Trading Centre along the Nchalo-Chikwawa section of the M1 Road.

Southern Region Police spokesperson James Kadadzera confirmed of the accident in an interview with the press, saying the accident happened Sunday-mid night.

According to Kadadzera, the Scania truck registration CZ 4342, loaded with bags of sweet potatoes was en route to Blantyre.

He said the driver failed to negotiate a sharp bend near Bereu and the truck overturned, killing five vendors on the sport.

The driver has been identified as 32-year-old Mussa Chilembwe from Mwahara Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkalo in Chiradzulu.

He said the driver will answer two charges of causing death due to reckless driving and conveyance of passengers in a goods vehicle contrary to road traffic rules and regulations.

Meanwhile Police are yet to come up with the identities of the deceased.