Government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), on Monday, 20th September, 2021 provided coffins, transportation and financial support towards funeral arrangements to nine families whose relations died in a road accident in Chitipa District.

Nine people died (eight on the spot and one at Chitipa District Hospital) while 95 sustained various degree of injuries when a vehicle they were travelling in overturned and fell into Kaseye River on Sunday, 19th September. The departed and the injured were part of the 104 members of the African International Church returning from a religious gathering.

Speaking at Chitipa District Hospital during a ceremony organised to see off members of the bereaved families, Minister of Lands Kezzie Msukwa; said His Excellency the State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera was deeply saddened by the accident and loss of lives.

“His Excellency the State President sends his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wishes the injured a quick recovery,” said Msukwa.

The State President consoled the bereaved families with K2 million to assist them during the funeral.

The country has been experiencing several fatal road accidents since January this year. DoDMA is liaising with relevant departments and authorities to reduce the occurrence of road accidents in the country.