By Ernest Mfunya

 Mangochi, March 9, Mana: A hired truck, registration number SA 6421, which carried maize flour for distribution under the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme on Friday evening killed five children, at Chowe Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe in Mangochi district after the driver lost control of the vehicle.

Confirming the development in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Saturday, Public Relations Officer for Eastern Region Police, Superintendent Patrick Mussa said the truck was coming from Namwera to Mangochi, to offload the flour for distribution at Chowe Village.

Mussa said eye witnesses told Traffic Police officers who rushed to the scene that the driver lost control of the vehicle upon reaching Chowe, following malfunctioning of the truck breaks.

"Upon noticing that breaks were not working, the truck driver moved towards a tree which was near to his left hand side, but unfortunately it hit the five children who were under the tree," said Mussa.

He said well-wishers rushed the children to the hospital, where upon arrival they were all pronounced dead.

Meanwhile Mussa has said investigations are underway to gather more information about the accident.