Police in Zambia have confirmed the death of seven Congolese nationals in a boat accident. The victims were identified as refugees who were seeking to escape from a transit centre located in the north of the country.
“Seven Democratic Republic of Congo nationals have drowned in Lake Mweru in Chiengi District of Luapula Province after their boat capsized due to heavy winds”, the police statement read in part.
The dead were among 35 Congolese who had fled from Kenani Refugee Transit Centre, close to Nchelenge District of Luapula Province, to return to their country.
According to Esther Katongo, Spokeswoman of the Zambia police, bodies recovered were of four juveniles between two months and four years of age. She said the bodis have been deposited at the Chiengi Hospital mortuary. Three bodies are still missing and not accounted for, she said.
Mr Davies Kalumba, the coxswain, has been arrested for causing the deaths due to dangerous navigation.
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