LUANDA - At least 100 people were killed and 298 others injured in 317 road accidents during the first four months of this year in the central province of Huambo, one of the most densely populated provinces in the southern African country, the official news agency Angop reported on Sunday.

The casualties were announced by spokesperson for the National Police Command in Huambo province Fernando Macao.

The officer said in comparison with the previous four months, there had been a drop of seven road accidents, one death and five injuries.

Macao explained that the drop in the rate of accidents and casualties followed an intensification by the National Police of an awareness to raise action in the province as from early this year.

He said the 317 accidents from January to April caused damage estimated at 19.3 million Akz ($19,300). Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and poor vehicle conditions were the main cause for the accidents.

Road accidents are the second killer in Angola, next to malaria, and claiming some 3,000 lives a year.