Five family members missing on Lake Malawi
A total of five family members who went for fishing on Lake Malawi on 18 July 2013 are reported missing and feared dead following strong winds which blew them off in area of Senior Chief Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota.
Nkhotakota Police Spokesperson Kaitano Lubrino said according to Chipelesa Amin (23) of Kantunda Village in the same area, the five missing people went to the lake for fishing and they used one canoe.
“It is believed that whilst on the lake, they were blown off by strong winds. The community was engulfed with fear after they noticed that the five were not reporting back as usual.
“This development prompted the police and the community to mount search but to no avail,” he said.
Lubrino said the missing people include Sipimbi Banda (30), Loda Banda (28), Clemence Sibande (16), all from Kuntanda Village, Simeon Chirwa (24) of Mtemanthondo Village, Kestala Chilema (27) of Chimundi Village. All the five are from area of Senior Chief Malengachanzi.
In a related development, Nkhotakota Police discovered dead body of 17-year-old man who drowned into Lake Malawi on 18 July 2013 in Selemani Village in T/A Mphonde in Nkhotakota.
The police publicist said it is alleged that the deceased was an epileptic patient and he left home around 4:00 pm for swimming on the lake.
“It is believed that he was later attacked by the disease which we assume that it resulted to the death.
“The dead body was later discovered floating at Selemani Fishing Dock on 19 July 2013 around noon by the community members who were searching for him following his missing,” Lubrino said.
Meanwhile, the police in the district are advising all patients and guardians of epileptic patients to take extra care for their children. The police are also advising all fishermen to follow weather forecasts in order to avoid drowning cases.
