Three people are feared dead after a boat transporting farming inputs capsized on Lake Bangweulu in Chifunabuli District on Monday afternoon.
Confirming the incident to Diamond Media, the Luapula Police Command said the 15-horsepower Super boat was among three vessels booked to ferry farming inputs for local farmers from Lubwe to Mbabala Island when it capsized.
The boat, operated by Eugene Kaseba aged between 25 and 30 of Kaoni Village, was carrying undisclosed packs of maize seeds belonging to Chief Mulongwe, and had two passengers Kapembwa Mushota, aged between 20 and 25, and Mumba Fielder, all of Kaoni Village.
Preliminary reports indicate that strong winds struck the vessel as it was being maneuvered, overwhelming the coxswain and causing it to overturn and sink, leading to the drowning of all three occupants who failed to swim to safety.
A search for the missing bodies has since been launched with the help of local community members.
By Kalombe Kapambwe
