What started as a normal outing for a football match ended in tragedy for players and fans of Nyungwe Football Club in Karonga as 24 of them died after a lorry ferrying them overturned.

There are also 60 others being treated at Karonga District Hospital for various degrees of injuries sustained during the accident that happened on Saturday evening in Tenende Hills in Karonga District.

Some of the injured wait to receive treatment at Karonga District Hospital

Karonga Police Station public relations officer George Mulewa on Sunday confirmed that the 10-tonner lorry was carrying 85 people comprising players, officials and supporters of Nyungwe Football Club on their way back from a Northern Region Football Association (NRFA ) and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Motomoto Division 1 match against Chitipa Hammers.

“There were 24 people who died on the spot while 12 others escaped with serious injuries,” he said.

“The driver identified as Moses Mkandawire, 43, carried players and supporters for Nyungwe Football Club and upon arrival at Tenende, he failed to negotiate the corner. As a result, the vehicle overturned after hitting the road embankment.”

Eyewitnesses The Nation interviewed at Karonga District Hospital on Sunday said about 60 patients were being treated with various degrees of injuries at the district hospital.

During The Nation visit to the hospital, the wards were filled with the injured. Outside the wards, scores of people were

gathered to search for their loved ones while others were out to collect remains of the dead.

A hospital official, who refused to be named, said they did not have the exact number of the injured admitted to the facility.

“I know of 12 who are seriously injured, but others are being treated as outpatients,” said the official.

One of the survivors, Kelvin Msukwa, said in an interview the lorry carried about 85 people.

“Up on reaching Tenende, the driver failed to negotiate a corner due to brake failure and the vehicle plunged into a ditch,” he said.

Paramount Chief Kyungu of Chitipa and Karonga said the accident has affected families and the people of Karonga- Nyungwe and called on authorities to ban ferrying of sports supporters in trucks or open lorries.

In a statement, the chief said: “Ferrying footballers and netballers or any kind of sports [athletes] in trucks and lorries must be looked into seriously by government. Once again, accept our deepest condolences.”

Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire on Sunday described the incident as a huge loss to the soccer fraternity, saying: “This loss is huge. In the same spirit, let me wish all those who have sustained various injuries quick recovery and good health.”

Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera has directed the Department for Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to provide support to the affected families.

Dodma spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula said the office will be responsible for funeral expenses and care for those in hospital.

“As you are aware that Dodma falls under the Office of the President and Cabinet, the President has directed our office to meet all the funeral expenses and those people receiving treatment in hospital.

“In this regard, the director of disaster and preparedness has left for Karonga District to meet with council officials and area development committee leaders to assess the situation,” he said.

The Saturday accident disturbed a celebratory mood that had engulfed Chitipa and Karonga districts after Chitipa United handed Blantyre-based TNM Super League heavyweights FCB Nyasa Bullets their first loss this season at Karonga Stadium. NFRA, through its general secretary Masiya Nyasulu, said following the incident, the association suspended all its activities on Sunday.

The post  Tragedy as 24 die in accident first appeared on The Nation Online.