District Commissioner for Nsanje Dominic Mwandira has said 23 people are still missing after a canoe they were sailing in capsized on Mtayamoyo River (Phokera dock) after it was hit by a hippo on Monday.
He said detectives from Chiromo Police and rescue teams from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife are at the scene as search continues.
Meanwhile, Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia visited the scene to condole the bereaved and the affected communities.
She said the State President is offering his condolences and promised the government’s full assistance to the affected families during this period.
Mia presented K2 million to the affected families.
Member of Parliament for the area Gladys Ganda requested the Department of Wildlife to relocate the hippos which she said have increased in number and are disturbing people’s livelihoods, destroying crops in their gardens.
A one-year-old boy has been confirmed dead from the accident, while 13 people were rescued.
Source:Times
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