Four die, six missing as boats capsize
A three-year-old child and three adults have died while six others are missing after two boats capsized on the Shire River in Chikwawa and Nsanje on Thursday.
Chikwawa Police Station spokesperson Dickson Matemba identified the deceased as Chisomo Mateyu of Chikuse Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Makhuwira in the district.
Nsanje Police Station spokesperson Agnes Zalakoma identified those who died in the other accident as canoe operator Isaac Faela, 38, from Sekeni Village, T/A Ngabu, Yanjanani Stanford, 30, and Dofiya John, 45, both from Mkuziwaduka Village, also from T/A Ngabu in Nsanje.
Matemba said the accident in Chikwawa occured as 20 people from Chikuse Village were crossing the river to Tizola and Nchalo to sell their farm produce.
He said in the course of the sail, the boat, which was being operated by Isaac Chilongo, 25, of Tizola Village in Paramount Chief Lundu in the district capsized after hitting a submerged wooden log.
On her part, Zalakoma said the accident in Nsanje occurred at Chingondo fishing dock. She said the canoe, which carried 11 farmers who were coming from their gardens at Ndione within Ndindi marsh, capsized after being hit by a hippo.
She added that seven of the 11 passengers swam to safety while a search team yesterday found three bodies whereas the fourth person is still missing, and the search is continuing.
