Funeral Procession Turns Tragic As Car In Late Malawi Vice President’s Convoy Kills Mourners

A devastating incident occurred on Sunday night during the funeral procession of Malawi’s late Vice President Saulos Chilima, resulting in the deaths of four mourners, including a pregnant woman.

The tragic event took place when a vehicle in the convoy carrying Chilima’s body struck and killed the mourners, also leaving 12 people injured.

The funeral procession, which began in Lilongwe, was en route to Chilima’s final resting place in his home village in Ntcheu, approximately 180 km south of the capital. Thousands of mourners had gathered to pay their respects as the coffin was transported to its final destination.

However, the somber occasion turned chaotic as the procession approached Chilima’s hometown. Some individuals in the crowd began throwing stones at government vehicles and officials, sparking tensions and clashes with security forces. The situation escalated, resulting in a vehicle veering off the road and striking a group of mourners, causing the tragic loss of four lives.

According to Felix Njawala, the spokesperson for the UTM party, the tensions arose when mourners insisted on catching a glimpse of the coffin, temporarily blocking the road in Dedza. The crowd was eventually calmed down, and the convoy continued on its way.

The late Vice President Saulos Chilima, 51, passed away in a plane crash in northern Malawi about a week ago, along with eight others, amidst severe weather conditions. On Sunday, tens of thousands of Malawians gathered at the national stadium for a funeral service, paying their respects and bidding a final farewell to the late vice-president.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the funeral proceedings, which were otherwise a testament to the outpouring of grief and admiration for Chilima’s leadership. The burial is scheduled to take place later on Monday.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook