Two people have drowned after a banana boat carrying 18 people capsized on Namwala River on Saturday.

The bodies have since been retrieved from the river by a combined team of fishermen and Fire brigade this afternoon.

Namwala Central Ward councilor, Young Shandavu has told Diamond news that the incident happened when a fisheries department boat which was monitoring the fish ban on the river sped off and left heavy waves leading to the banana boat capsizing.

By Helga Chibwe