Four people, including a pregnant woman, were killed after a vehicle in the convoy carrying the body of Malawi’s late vice president Saulos Chilima struck mourners, police say.
Twelve other people were injured in the incident on Sunday evening and were treated in hospital.
It followed clashes between locals, police and soldiers escorting the late vice president’s funeral convoy from the capital Lilongwe to his home village for burial.
Mr Chilima died in a plane crash a week ago and will be buried later on Monday in his home district of Ntcheu, about 180km south of the capital.
Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the coffin as it was transported for burial on Sunday.
As the procession passed through areas close to Mr Chilima’s home, some people began throwing stones at government vehicles and officials.
During the commotion, one vehicle left the road and struck a group of mourners, killing four of them, a police statement said.
Mr Chilima’s UTM party spokesman told AFP news agency that there was some tension along the route as mourners demanded the procession stop so they could see the coffin.
“In Dedza, people blocked the road and demanded to see the coffin,” said Felix Njawala.
The convoy continued after the mourners had been pacified.
The party has condemned the acts of violence and asked supporters to refrain from any violence or destruction.
“We cannot tolerate violence, Dr Chilima advocated peace, let us do the same,” state broadcaster MBC quoted UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati as saying.
Chilima, 51, died last Monday along with eight others when a military plane crashed in a forest in the north of the country during a domestic flight during bad weather.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of Malawians turned out for a funeral service at the national stadium to pay tribute to him.
Mr Chilima had a special bond with people, especially the youth, and was considered a breath of fresh air in Malawian politics.
His party formed a coalition government with that of President Lazarus Chakwera after contesting and winning the 2020 elections as alliance partners.
Some of Chilima’s supporters have been critical of the government’s handling of the events leading to his death and loudly booed the president as he delivered his eulogy at Sunday’s funeral service.
Mr Chakwera has promised a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
Security has been beefed up across Ntcheu district ahead of Mr Chilima’s funeral.
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