Five people have died while several others sustained serious injuries when the minibus they were travelling in got involved in a road accident at Chantulo Trading Centre in Mangochi.

Mangochi Police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Amina Tepani Daudi Thursday said the accident happened around 3 O’clock in the afternoon when a Nissan Vanette minibus registration number BT 1381 which was coming from Golomoti heading towards Monkey Bay rammed into a stationery lorry.

She said out of 16 passengers who were on board, two died on the spot while two other passengers died upon arriving at the Monkey Bay Community Hospital.

The other person died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

“Upon arrival at the Mpatsa Farm the left tyre burst which made the driver to lose control of the vehicle hence swerved to the extreme side of the road forcing it to overturn thrice due to over speeding,” Daudi said.

She identified the two who died on the same spot as Charity Kaunda, 31, from Chembe Village and Olivia Chikondi, 39, from Msumbi Village both from the area of TA Nankumba in Mangochi.

“The other two who died upon arrival at the Monkey Bay Community Hospital are Violet Thomas, 39, from Chembe Village in TA Nankumba in Mangochi and a Mrs. Chesi whose particulars we are yet to establish,” Daudi said.

Daudi added that the fifth passenger who died while receiving treatment was a one and half year old child Latifa Umali also from Chembe Village in the area of T/A Nankumba in Mangochi.

The assistant publicist said other two passengers sustained serious injuries and were still admitted to Monkey Bay receiving treatment.

According to Daudi the minibus was driven by Vincent Mwanza, 42, from Msampha Village in the area of TA Mavwere in Mchinji.