Four people, including a pregnant woman, were killed when a vehicle in the funeral convoy of the late Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima struck mourners. The incident occurred on Sunday night, leaving twelve others injured and hospitalized.
The tragedy followed clashes between locals, police, and soldiers escorting the convoy from Lilongwe to Chilima’s home village in Ntcheu for burial. Chilima died in a plane crash a week earlier and was to be buried on Monday.
Thousands lined the streets to see the coffin, but tensions rose near Chilima’s home as people threw stones at government vehicles. Amid the chaos, one vehicle veered off the road, hitting mourners.
The UTM party condemned the violence and urged supporters to maintain peace. Chilima, 51, had died along with eight others in a military aircraft crash. His funeral service drew tens of thousands, highlighting his special connection with the youth and his influence in Malawian politics.
President Lazarus Chakwera promised a full investigation into the crash, as security was heightened in Ntcheu ahead of the burial.
