FOUR people have died on the spot while 25 others sustained serious injuries after the vehicle they were traveling in overturned in Nyimba district. Eastern Province Deputy Commissioner of Police Geoffrey Kunda said in an interview that the incident happened around 06:30 hours yesterday when the driver lost control of a Mitsubishi truck which had 38 passengers after it developed a mechanical fault. Mr Kunda said the vehicle was being driven by Mackrel Mumba, 37, of Petauke.

He said the vehicle also had 70 bags of assorted goods. Mr Kunda said the passengers were travelling to Nzuni Village to sell goods at a mobile market, commonly known as Kabwandile, when the vehicle overturned and plunged into a ditch.

“The accident happened when the Mitsubishi truck which was coming from Petauke district developed a mechanical fault,” Mr Kunda said. He said 10 passengers were seriously injured, 16 others were treated as out-patients at Nyimba District Hospital, while nine escaped unhurt.