By Peter Mseteka & Tracy Mtegha

Mzuzu, March 21, Mana: Chris Academy students in Mzuzu on Wednesday held prayers for two students who died on Tuesday after a tree fell on them at Masasa in Mzuzu City.

Speaking Thursday in an interview, head teacher for the school, Adolf Kapondera, said Enock Mwenda and Joseph Gama, both 22, met their fate when they were playing pool game near Chibuku Beverage Company.

“The students gathered in a circle holding hands, praying, as one them preached about loving each other and being available for each other in time of need,” said Kapondera.

He added that the school’s management has since engaged licensed counsellors from other schools to offer psychosocial support to the students.

“With heavy hearts, the Chris Academy family mourns the loss of our very own, Enock and Joseph.

“Both will be remembered for the smiles they shared and the love they had for their friends and, in honour of the deceased, management has advised students, staff members to wear black clothes on Friday, March 22,” he said.

Councilor for Masasa Ward, Manson Waya, said that the trees which were five in number have been there since 1964 and that once they wanted them for timber for construction of bridges but were denied.

“Let me advise people to be careful in choosing the places where they ply their businesses to avoid similar incidents,” said Waya.

According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Rose Chipyola, on the day, besides the two deceased students, several people were injured during the tragedy.

The tragedy happened a few days after four members of a family - wife, husband and two children - died after a house collapsed on them, following a land slide in the same area.