Malawi-bound bus crash death toll rises to 17

The death toll from a horrific road traffic accident involving a Malawi-bound BRB Coaches bus has risen to 17 after three more victims died while receiving treatment in hospital.

Fourteen passengers were confirmed dead on the spot following the crash on Tuesday, while the additional fatalities occurred after the injured were admitted to Mutoko and Mudzi district hospitals.

The wreckage of the bus remained at the accident scene on Wednesday morning as authorities continued investigations into the cause of the tragedy.

The accident has left residents of Suswe in shock, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of devastation as passengers were trapped inside the overturned vehicle.

One local resident, Mr Noah Chidyausiku, said he was among the first to arrive at the scene and believes the crash may have been caused by a tyre burst.

"I suspect the bus burst its front tyre because before it veered off the road, I heard a loud noise similar to that of a tyre burst," he said.

He described how the bus suddenly left the road before crashing violently, trapping passengers inside.

"In no time, I saw the bus veering off the road to the left, followed by a loud noise as it crashed, trapping people inside. I only managed to shout to others that people had perished before rushing to the scene," he said.

Chidyausiku added that when he reached the wreckage, the bus was lying on its side and passengers were crying for help, while others were already dead.

He said villagers rushed to assist but were hampered by a lack of equipment to rescue those trapped.

"We did not have enough equipment or resources to assist the trapped passengers. We had an axe, but that did not help much. However, we managed to pull some of them out," he said.

Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the cause of the crash as families begin the difficult process of identifying and mourning the victims.