Three people are reported dead while eight others are battling for their lives at Zomba Central Hospital after a minibus they were travelling was hit by a freightliner in Zomba on Tuesday night.

Zomba Police Public Relations Officer Patricia Supriano confirmed of the accident in a statement made available to faceofmalawi.

According to Supriano, the accident happened at six miles while an over speeding freightliner collided with a minibus belonging to Paseli of Ndirande.

Supriano said three people including the driver identified as Kingston Kapito died on the spot while four passengers sustain serious injuries and they are now admitted at Zomba Central Hospital.

Four others sustain minor injuries while six others escape unhurt from the accident.

She said the minibus had 16 passengers on board and the minibus was coming from Mangochi heading to Blantyre.

Meanwhile the driver of the truck has escaped.