An 18 year old boy died at Chikala Hills in Machinga over the weekend after a tree he was illegally cutting for charcoal production fell on him.

Machinga Police Public Relations Officer, Constable, Davie Sulumba confirmed the death of a teenager Anusa Kalonga.

The boy went to the protected hill reserve under instruction of his employer, Rodrick Sayilenga who engaged him to produce charcoal for business.

He was found dead after his employer and relatives waited his return from the protected Chikala Hills which is part of the 24,351.87 hectares of Liwonde Forest Reserve.

The deceased comes from Mawiriga Village, Traditional Authority Chamba in Machinga while Sayilenga comes from Sitima Village, Traditional Authority Nsanama in the district.