Malawi's second opposition party suspended its national convention Saturday after 26 supporters died in a road accident on the way to the conference, party officials said.
The supporters of the Alliance for Democracy, or AFORD, died Friday night when the truck they were traveling in overturned in the central mountainous district of Dedza, south of the capital, Lilongwe.
Party spokesman Khwauli Msiska announced the suspension to assembled delegates on Saturday.
Dedza Police spokesman Franklin Gausi said the victims were traveling in an open truck in a three-vehicle convoy.
The driver of the middle truck, which was carrying 62 passengers, appeared to have lost control of the vehicle while approaching a bridge, he said.
"The lorry overturned, killing 21 people on the spot," he said. "Five more died on arrival at Dedza District Hospital."
At least 12 people were transferred to Lilongwe Central Hospital, and three are reported to be in a critical condition, Msiska said.
The party had scheduled the convention to elect a president and resolve a leadership crisis triggered by the death of founder Chakufwa Chihana.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
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