President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has expressed shock and sadness about the loss of lives on Lake Malawi following the capsizing of a boat in Rumphi over Easter.

Mutharika said this statement released on Tuesday signed by Presidential Press Officer Mgeme Kalilani made available to faceofmalawi.

According to Kalilani, Mutharika and his wife Gertrude are praying for families that have lost their loved ones in the tragic incident and is wishing all survivors and those traumatized a quick recovery.

The President further commends the Malawi Defence Force MDF, the Malawi Police Service and the community in Rumphi for their tireless efforts to save lives after the incident.

Meanwhile, the President is assuring all those affected that government agencies will continue, within their means to search for those still missing and assist those affected. In the meantime, bodies of two people out of the five people who died in the boat accident have been laid to rest.

According to the Director of response recovery in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, Paul Kalilombe government provided assistance towards the cost of the funerals.

Meanwhile, about 20 bodies are still missing but the Malawi Defence Force Marine team is expected to continue with the search.