Four members of the same family at Masasa in Mzuzu City died in the wee hours of Saturday after a house in which they were living collapsed on them due to a landslide.
According to a press release by Mzuzu City Council-(MCC) the family had six members and two of the members between the ages of 10 and 16 survived the horrific tragedy because they were outside the house.
The press release signed by the Mayor of the MCC, Gift Desire Nyirenda says the council is working closely with members of the bereaved family, stakeholders and other government agencies on funeral arrangements.
“The council has also engaged St John of God Hospitaller Services for psychosocial support to the two children who have survived the tragedy,” adds the press release.
The council also urges households in disaster prone areas to move to safer locations to avoid a replica of the incident.
Mzuzu City Disaster Desk Officer, Precious Mandala said that the risk of landslides in Masasa is still high and that families living in such risky areas should consider relocating to safe areas as there are indications that rains will continue.
Social Welfare Officer for Mzuzu City and Mzimba North, Lingson Ng’ambi said the office is on the ground making necessary assessment for possible interventions.
According to Assistant Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Rose Chipyola, the deceased are, Aisha Malindi 7, Ishmael Malindi 4, Ivy Banda 31, all from Village Head Kayembe in the area of Traditional Authority Mwadzama in Nkhotakota and Rabson Malindi 37 who hailed from Machinga.
Ivy Banda was a wife to Rabson Malindi.
