BLANTYRE

Nine police officers escorting Malawian President Peter Mutharika’s convoy have died in a horrific road accident in the southern district of Balaka, police have said.

"I can confirm that we have lost colleagues in the accident," John Sauka, Balaka Police Station spokesperson told The Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

"They were rushed to the district hospital but unfortunately some have died on arrival," he said.

The incident took place when the police officers were escorting the Malawi leader to an official engagement in the district.

Mutharika had travelled by road from capital Lilongwe to Machinga, some 325 kilometers. The President's vehicle was not involved in the accident.

According to eyewitnesses, a police vehicle was moving at a high speed and overturned several times.

Other police sources said that the Land Cruiser, which the officers were using, missed the road and rolled several times, throwing out and killing some of the officers on the spot.

According to the sources, the vehicle was the last car on the presidential convoy, which normally cruises between 120 and 150 kilometers per hour.

Sauka said that investigations were underway to establish the cause of the accident.

State House press secretary Fredrick Ndala could not be reached for comment.

www.aa.com.tr/en