Two boys, aged 8 and 11, have drowned in a soak away, while a third has been rescued, in Nyimba District in Eastern Province.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident to the media in Chipata, stating the boys were swimming in the water source at the time of the incidence.
“Be informed that Nyimba Police Station received two reports of drowning from male Francis Mtonga, 51, of Samora 2 Compound, District Nyimba, who reported that his grandson male juvenile Ernest Mapeti, 11, died after drowning in a soak away. The other report was from Rabson Tembo, 56, of Nyimba East Compound, who also reported that his grandson, male Juvenile Prince Sakala, 8, died after drowning in a soak away,” he stated.
Mr Mweemba disclosed that the survivor aged 7 is hospitalised, and in stable condition.
The Police Chief stated that the trio was reportedly swimming when the other two drowned while the 7-year-old was rescued.
” Information established after an interview is that, Jenara Tembo, 20, of Asafu Village, rescued male juvenile Elisha Mumba, 7, from a soak away. She stated that he was swimming with two others who unfortunately drowned. The same lady alerted community members who retrieved the bodies and later on alerted police,” he detailed.
The Commanding Officer further indicated that no foul play was suspected as the bodies of the deceased had no physical injuries.
He explained that the bodies have been deposited into Nyimba Urban clinic mortuary awaiting burial.
