Two police vehicles from Mozambique and one from Nayuchi Police Station in Machinga have been set ablaze amid ongoing unrest in the area yesternight.

Machinga Police spokesperson Western Kansire confirmed the incident, stating that additional officers have been dispatched to restore order.

According to a local resident, McDonald Wisiki, two children receiving care at Nayuchi Health Center are suspected to have died after tear gas, used by police to control the crowd, reached the children’s ward.

The unrest began following the death of a local man, allegedly while in the custody of Mozambican police. Efforts to restore calm have so far been unsuccessful, as locals continue with retaliatory acts in protest of the man’s death.