An eight year old boy has died after drowning in Bwanje River in Ntcheu district on January 2, 2023.

The deceased has been identified as Joseph Zipolo.

Ntcheu police station Public Relations Officer (PRO) sub-inspector Rabecca Ndiwate said Joseph and his friends left home for swimming at Bwanje River.

“According to his friends, while swimming, Joseph was swept by water to the deeper end of the river where he drowned” said Ndiwate.

“Upon seeing that their mate was not coming out, one of the children rushed home to notify parents, who later reported the matter to Sharpe vale police post,” she said.

According to Ndiwate, police officers from Sharpevale and the medical personnel from Bwanje Health Centre rushed to the river and conducted a post-mortem where it was revealed that death was due to suffocation secondary to drowning.

Ntcheu police have advised parents and guardians to protect their children and stop them from swimming and crossing water bodies especially this rainy season.