Nine people have tragically lost their lives, and a search is ongoing for one more missing person after the boat they were traveling on capsized in Chisaka stream, located in Kawambwa District, Luapula Province. The incident occurred early this morning around 04:00 hours as the boat was transporting workers from the Kawambwa Sugar Plantation Company to their workplace.
Six others survived the accident after managing to swim to the riverbanks. The tragic news was confirmed by Mpambashe Member of Parliament, Justine Kapema, who revealed that the bodies of nine victims have been recovered, and efforts to locate the missing individual continue.
The boat was reportedly facing difficulties due to a strong current in the river. According to the coxswain, who survived the capsizing, the incident was triggered when the paddle he was using got stuck and broke, causing the boat to lose control and ultimately capsize.
Chief Kabanda of the Chishinga people expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life and appealed to the government to expedite the construction of a bridge across the Kabanda River to prevent future accidents of this nature. He emphasized the need for better infrastructure to ensure the safety of those who rely on water transport.
The tragic event has raised concerns about the safety of water transport in rural areas. Local residents are urging authorities to take immediate action to prevent such accidents in the future, including the provision of safety measures like life jackets for those using boats as a mode of transportation.
As the search for the missing person continues, the community and local leaders are left to grapple with the devastating loss, hoping that preventive measures will be taken to avoid such incidents in the future.