13 die when minibus, fleeing police inspection, overturns in Mozambique

Thirteen people were killed on Monday when a speeding minibus fleeing police inspection overturned in central Mozambique, authorities said.

Many others were injured in the incident in Ulongwe district, Tete province, local police said.

The dead include 11 nationals of Malawi. The two other victims came from Zimbabwe and Mozambique respectively.

The minibus was suspected to be on the way to enter South Africa illegally from Mozambique.

"The minibus driver was driving at high speed because he was fleeing from the police who wanted to inspect the car with foreigners," said district commander Fernando Graca. "The bus then overturned, leaving the 11 victims dead at the scene, and others died on the way to hospital."

Countries that border the provinces of central Mozambique have often been used as a route to illegally enter South Africa.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)