18-Year-Old Injured While Attempting To Steal Diesel From Moving Train In Balaka

An 18-year-old man, Lawrence Yakobe, has been injured after attempting to steal from a diesel locomotive train in Balaka District.

According to Balaka police station spokesperson inspector Gladson M’bumpha on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at around 16:00 hours, the locomotive was coming from Nacala to Moartz in Mozambique while carrying empty diesel tanks.

Upon arriving at Nkaya Railway Bridge, the suspect (victim) jumped into this moving locomotive with intent to steal diesel but he failed since the tanks were empty.

M’bumpha says the victim instead, he decided to jump off from the moving locomotive and unfortunately, he fell down and the locomotive run over him, which led to his injury.

A security guard belonging to Central East African Railways (CEAR) who was patrolling the area found the suspect and reported to Nkaya Railway Station authorities who took him to Balaka District Hospital where he is currently admitted.

Meanwhile, his left leg has been amputated.

Yakobe, who comes from Nkaya Village in Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka District, will appear before court after he gets discharged from the hospital to answer a charge of attempted theft.