Four children have been confirmed dead after being washed away by running water in Mzimba.
The incident comes 23 days after three others, Andrew Banda, 11, Luka Longwe, 14, and Phillip Longwe, 16 also drowned in Milala River on December 21, last year in the district.
Mzimba Police spokesperson Gift Nyirongo on Monday identified the four, from Galamala Mgungwe Village in Inkosi Ya Makosi M’mbelwa V in Mzimba as Apronia Phiri, 11, Prince Bambilo, 9, Milika Bambilo, 7, and Eliza Msimuko, 7.
The four drowned in Mtenthe Stream on Sunday on their way to fetch mangoes in a village across the stream.
“They left their homes in the morning to look for mangoes in another village on the other side of the stream. As they were crossing the stream, they were all washed away by running waters and drowned in the process.
“In fact, they were five but fortunately one child (Elube Kumwenda, 13,) escaped unhurt and reported the matter to the parents at home.
“When parents rushed to the stream, they found that all the four children had already died,” said Nyirongo.
The police publicist said the police are saddened by the development especially that it comes barely three weeks after other three children drowned in the same district.
“As police, we are appealing to the general public to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of children and people with mental illnesses especially those who are living along the rivers.
“Children need to be in the company of older people when leaving homes.
“Children should also be discouraged from crossing rivers especially during the rainy season to prevent such cases,” said Nyirongo.
