Four individuals including a pregnant woman, lost their lives when a vehicle in the convoy carrying the late Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s body veered off the road and collided with a group of mourners according to police statement.
The incident occurred as tensions flared between local residents and the police, who were escorting the funeral procession from the capital, Lilongwe, to Chilima’s home village in Ntcheu for burial.
The tragedy left twelve other individuals injured and currently receiving treatment in local hospitals.
The victims were part of the throng of thousands who had lined the streets to pay their respects to the late vice president as his coffin was transported to his final resting place.
The convoy, which included military and police escorts, was met with hostility as it passed through areas near Mr. Chilima’s home. In Dedza, about 80 kilometers from Lilongwe, mourners blocked the road, demanding that the procession stop so they could view the coffin. Tensions escalated as stones were thrown at government vehicles and officials, leading to a chaotic scene.
Felix Njawala, a spokesman for Mr. Chilima’s United Transformation Movement (UTM) party, reported that there was considerable unrest along the convoy’s route.
“People were agitated and wanted to pay their last respects to the vice-president, unfortunately, this led to confrontations with the authorities,” Njawala said.
In the ensuing commotion, one of the vehicles swerved off the road and plowed into a group of mourners, resulting in the fatalities. The police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and circumstances.
The United Transformation Movement (UTM) party has condemned the violence that marred the funeral procession and has called for calm and respect for the late vice-president’s legacy.
“We cannot tolerate violence,” said UTM Secretary-General Patricia Kaliati. “Dr. Chilima advocated for peace, and we must honor him by refraining from violence and destruction.”
The tragic accident overshadowed the mourning period for Mr. Chilima, who died in a plane crash last Monday along with eight others. The military aircraft they were traveling in crashed in a forest in northern Malawi amid bad weather conditions.
