About 400 people have escaped from a coronavirus quarantine centre in Malawi's second largest city, Blantyre, after complaining about its poor state.

Local media has reported that the escapees were quarantined on arrival from South Africa and were yet to be tested for coronavirus.

They had complained that the stadium, which was turned into a quarantine centre, lacked water, toilets and food.

A ministry of health spokesman has confirmed the escape of returnees and said that the authorities have mounted a manhunt.

Photos of the deserted and littered stadium were shared on Twitter:

#ZBSNews Deserted! Kamuzu stadium #COVID19 quarantine center in Blantyre where quarantined Malawians repatriated from South Africa have bolted. pic.twitter.com/WCfsk6HDm2

— Zodiak Online (@zodiakonline) May 27, 2020

The incident comes a day after local media reported that eight people who tested positive for the virus on arrival from South Africa had escaped from Kameza isolation centre in Blantyre.

Malawi has so far confirmed 101 coronavirus cases including four deaths.