TEN people among them four Zambians of Nkole Island in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have drowned on the Luapula River when the boat they were travelling in capsized due to overloading.
Luapula Province Commissioner of Police Hudson Namachila confirmed the development in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Nchelenge yesterday.
Mr. Namachila identified the Zambian nationals that have perished in the accident as 60- year -old Mpanga, 25-year-old Mwila, Ilunga (20) and Chishimba aged 25.
The Luapula Province Police Chief said others who drowned are Bana Kaela, Kafita, Titi and a male juvenile only identified as Davy are among the Congolese nationals that lost their lives in the same accident while six others have not yet been identified.
Mr. Namachila disclosed that four unidentified women reportedly survived and were at Nkole Island in Congo DR while the body of Mpanga had been retrieved and buried by press time.
Mr Namachila said the majority of the victims are believed to be Congolese nationals who met their fate between 20:00 hours on Sunday and the early hours of yesterday on Monday.
He explained that the boat in which the victims were travelling was enroute to Nkole Island in the DRC carrying 14 passengers and laden with bags of cassava when it capsized at Kasase area along the Luapula River because of over loading.
Mr Namachila said Headman Potolo of Kilwa Island on Lake Mweru reported the matter to Police in Nchelenge around 09:00 hours yesterday.
The PF government don’t consider such as tragedy, unless people died during campaign.
All boat owners must be mandated to provide life jackets! Please regulate these canoe transports.