Tragedy struck on Sunday night when a vehicle in the funeral convoy carrying the late Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima's body struck and killed four mourners, including a pregnant woman.

The injured individuals are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. The convoy was en route to Chilima's final resting place when the devastating accident occurred.

Last week, Malawi's Vice-President Saulos Chilima tragically passed away in a plane crash.

His funeral procession took place on Sunday, with thousands of mourners lining the streets to pay their respects as his coffin was transported to his final resting place in Ntcheu, approximately 180 km south of the capital, Lilongwe.

However, the somber occasion turned chaotic as the procession approached Chilima's hometown, with some individuals throwing stones at government vehicles and officials, sparking tensions and clashes with security forces.

Chilima's burial is scheduled to take place later on Monday.

Amidst the chaos, a vehicle veered off the road and struck a group of mourners, resulting in the tragic loss of four lives, as confirmed by the police in an official statement.

According to Felix Njawala, the spokesperson for the UTM party, tensions arose along the funeral procession route as mourners insisted on catching a glimpse of the coffin, temporarily blocking the road in Dedza.

"The crowd demanded to see the coffin, but eventually, they were calmed down, and the convoy continued on its way," Njawala told AFP.

A tragic plane crash in northern Malawi about a week ago claimed the lives of Vice-President Saulos Chilima, 51, and eight others, amidst severe weather conditions.

On Sunday, an estimated tens of thousands of Malawians gathered at the national stadium for a funeral service, paying their respects and bidding a final farewell to the late vice-president. The solemn event was a testament to the outpouring of grief and admiration for Chilima's leadership.