By Jones Gadama
A 55-year-old man from Mulanje, Umiya Mwale, met his untimely death on Sunday when a tree he was cutting fell on him.
According to Mulanje Police Public Relations Officer, Innocent Moses, the accident occurred around 11 am in the morning.
Mwale was with his friend, John Gambatula, 65, cutting trees to make charcoal when the tragedy struck. As Mwale was cutting the tree, it suddenly fell on him, squeezing him underneath its massive trunk.
Moses said that Mwale’s friend, Gambatula, was left shaken by the incident and was unable to free Mwele from under the tree. The police were later called to the scene, and Mwale’s body was taken to the hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The post-mortem results revealed that Mwale died due to internal bleeding caused by the crushing injuries he sustained when the tree fell on him.
The police are appealing to the public to refrain from engaging in illegal cutting of trees, which can lead to devastating consequences like the one that befell Mwale.
Mwele was a resident of Village Headman Mangombo, Traditional Authority Nkanda, in Mulanje. His death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences to his family.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of illegal logging and the importance of adhering to safety protocols when engaging in activities that involve cutting down trees.
The police are urging the public to report any instances of illegal logging or tree cutting to the authorities, and to exercise extreme caution when engaging in such activities.
In a statement, Moses said, “We urge the public to refrain from engaging in illegal activities that can put their lives and the lives of others at risk. We also appeal to the public to report any instances of illegal logging or tree cutting to the authorities.”
The incident has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of illegal logging and the need for sustainable forest management practices.
As the community mourns the loss of Mwele, it is hoped that his death will serve as a wake-up call for the importance of prioritizing safety and sustainability in all aspects of life.
