LILONGWE, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A lion suspected to have escaped from Zambia's South Luangwa National Park has killed six cattle and injured at least three people in north Malawi's border district of Chitipa, officials confirmed Friday.

Sergeant Gladwell Simwaka, police spokesperson for Chitipa, told local media that Malawian game rangers and police officers have intensified the hunt for the beast and that there was hope they could succeed in bringing it back or killing it if necessary.

"The lion is still causing problems in Chitipa and on Thursday, July 19 it was spotted at Kasisi village where it has injured three people who were trying to kill it with spears and axes," said Simwaka in a statement.

The injured people were rushed to the nearest local hospital and later referred to the biggest referral health facility in the region, Mzuzu Central Hospital for treatment.

Police have warned people around the area where the lion was spotted to be on guard as the hunt continues.

According to a local reporter, residents in the area are staying indoors and have stopped grazing their animals for fear of the lion.