– A devastating incident occurred on the Shire River in Malawi, resulting in the death of a baby and leaving 23 people missing after their boat collided with a hippopotamus, according to authorities.
Police in the southern district of Nsanje revealed that the canoe, carrying 37 individuals, was navigating across the waterway on Monday morning when the unfortunate incident unfolded. Agnes Zalakoma, the spokesperson for Nsanje police, reported that local residents managed to rescue 13 individuals from the water, while 23 people remained unaccounted for as of Tuesday.
Tragically, the body of a one-year-old who had drowned was recovered by rescuers. Zalakoma stated that ongoing search efforts were underway to locate the missing individuals.
The canoe began to tilt and eventually capsized upon colliding with the hippopotamus, she explained. The Shire River, being Malawi’s largest river, has witnessed its fair share of boat accidents. The absence of regular water transportation options compels many to rely on rickety boats to cross lakes and rivers, exacerbating the risks involved due to the lack of proper regulations.
Just last month, another heartbreaking incident occurred in Malawi’s central district of Mchinji, where at least five people lost their lives after an overcrowded boat sank. Such incidents underscore the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations to prevent further tragedies in the country.
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