Eight people have been killed in a football stadium stampede ahead of a match which was part of Malawi's 53rd independence day celebrations.
"Doctors have confirmed that eight people have died while 62 others have suffered multiple injuries," police spokesman James Kadadzera said.
Seven of the dead were children, the state-owned Malawi News Agency said on Twitter.
The stampede occurred in the capital Lilongwe as fans pushed to enter the Chinese-built, 40,000-seater Bingu National Stadium to see a friendly match between Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers.
Reports said the match would go ahead despite the deaths. President Peter Mutharika was expected to visit injured victims at hospital.
The southern African country gained independence from Britain on July 6, 1964. The celebrations started on Wednesday with military parades.
