Fifteen people died in two separate road accidents in Malawi's southern city of Blantyre on Saturday while more than 15 others were seriously injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.

The first accident occurred at around 15:30 p.m. when a minibus traveling from the border district of Mulanje to Limbe in Blantyre had a burst tyre and overturned several times.

The driver of the minibus and six passengers were pronounced dead upon arrival at the nearest hospital while other 7 passengers survived with fractures, according to the police report.

The second accident at around 19:20 p.m. involved a lorry with 40 passengers on board, which collided with a freightliner truck.

Eight passengers were killed and close to 20 passengers sustained injuries, said the report.

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has expressed grief over the accidents and passed condolences to the bereaved families.

A statement signed by the government spokesperson Nicholas Dausi said the two accidents have saddened the country's first couple.

"The President and the First Lady join all Malawians in expressing their condolences to the bereaved families and also wishing those injured a quick recovery," reads the statement.

On June 10, a fatal bus accident in the country left 10 dead and dozens injured when a bus had its front tyre burst at a bridge and overturned.

source: xinhua