According to Maulid Ambale who reported the matter to police, the deceased was assigned to clean the fishing boat which was anchored about 40-50 meters from the lake shore so he took a canoe and sailed to the said boat.

“After he finished the job, he wanted to get back in the canoe but accidentally fell in water. He tried to swim up to the boat but failed. Some people who saw this happening rushed to rescue him but also failed,” Ambale told the police.

After that, the matter was reported to Likoma police station and upon receipt of the report, officers rushed to the scene.

Fortunately the police officers saw white men going out for their diving activities, according to Sub-Inspector Ngulube.

“Police officers talked and convinced them to help in searching the body of the deceased by diving in the water. They went into the water about 40 meters down and searched close to an hour but failed to find the body,” he said.

Four hours later, they dived into water again to look for it but all went in vain.

Abdular Mbwana hailed from Nangwangwa village under Traditional Authority Mwazama in Nkhotakota District.

Meanwhile, police in the District are appealing to the islanders to keep on looking for the body of the deceased along lake shores and report back once found.