BLANTYRE, Malawi, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Malawi President, Peter Mutharika, has expressed shock over the death of 20 people in a road accident on Friday.

The accident occurred at a place called Kampepuza in Ntcheu district, about 250 km south of the capital. Every Friday is a market day in that place.

It is established that a truck which was coming from Lilongwe direction going down south towards Balaka lost its brakes and hit people and stationary commuter minibuses at a crowded roadside market place in Kampepuza.

A statement released Friday afternoon signed by the President's Press Secretary and Spokesperson, Mgeme Kalilani, says Mutharika and the First Lady, Gertrude Mutharika, are very saddened with the loss of 20 lives and the injury of several others in the accident.

"The President and the First Lady express their heart-felt condolence to the believed families for the loss of their loved ones in this tragic accident," reads the statement.

The statement further assures all the families affected by the tragic accident that government will provide them with all the support they need in the difficult time.

While praying for the souls of the departed to rest in peace, the statement says Mutharika and the First Lady joins all Malawians in praying for the quick recovery of those injured in the accident.

Seventeen people died on the spot of the accident while 3 more died at the hospital where they were rushed to for medical attention.

Meanwhile, government's spokesperson, who is also minister of Information and Communications Technology, Henry Mussa, has told the local media that government will release a report on what really caused the tragic accident.