Three children have drowned in a pond formerly used for extracting gravel.

According to Sergeant Macpatson Msadala, Public Relations Officer for Mponela Police Station, the deceased identified as Gift Alexander,13 years, Kondwani Pilirani,13 years and Augustino Chikumbutso, 8 years, all hailed from Chizoloondo (Chakana) village in the area of Senior Chief Chakhaza in Dowa District.

The incident occurred on 09 February 2025 at around 09:00 hours at Chakomba village.

It is said that all the deceased were grandsons to Miss Emily Andrew of same village.

On 8 February 2025 at about 09:00 hours, Miss Emily Andrew prepared breakfast for the whole family including parents of the deceased.

They then left the kids playing while they went for farming activities at  about noon they came back and prepared lunch but the kids didn’t show up.

They started searching for them from their relatives but did not find them.

On 9 February 2025 a search resumed and grandmother to all the deceased while passing by the pond, she saw clothes for her grandsons alongside hooks for fishing.

She quickly called others who conducted a search in that pond. The three deceased were found floating lifeless.

The scene of crime was visited by Detectives from Kalipano Police Unit together with a medical personnel from Mponela Health Centre who pronounced death as due to suffocation.

Police in Mponela, Dowa District are still advising all people to avoid leaving young ones alone while playing near ponds to avoid such accidents.