11 confirmed dead after boat capsizes with 44 passengers on board

The number of youths from Chilubi East Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church who have died after their boat capsized on lake Bangweulu has now risen to eleven as members from the Zambian military force Sunday joined the search for the missing individuals.

According to a report by Mwebantu, a boat carrying 44 members of the church capsized on Lake Bangweulu in Luapula Province when the youths were sailing from Chilubi Island’s Kashitu village to Chishi Island in Chifunabuli district.

28 survivors rescued

Out of those on board, 28 have so far been rescued, 11 have been reported dead, while eight others are still missing.

There have, however, been contradicting details concerning the dead and rescued as government statistics showed that eight bodies had been retrieved while eight are still missing.

Statistics by the SDA church report that 29 were rescued, among them a coxswain, while 12 adults and three children were still missing.

“As at now, four of those rescued, have been hospitalised, while the rest have been discharged. Search is told to continue tomorrow,” the church said.

Coxswain failed to control boat

Police Chief Gloria Mulele told the media that incident occurred as the victims were sailing to a church program before the start of the sabbath.

She disclosed that the survivors were rushed to the district hospital for medical attention as rescuers continue searching for the missing people, who are between the ages of two and 28.

“Whilst on the lake strong waves and winds which engulfed the lake hammered into the boat and it capsized as the coxswain failed to control it,” read part of Mulele’s statement.

In the wake of the tragic news, the Zambian government has offered to help ease the burden of the affected families during the difficult period.

Government to help with burials An official statement from the government spokesperson indicated that marine forces had been dispatched to help with the search for bodies.

“The pain of losing so many lives of young people in a single tragedy of this magnitude, is unbearable,” read the emailed statement, adding that President Hakainde Hichilema had directed the government to provide coffins, food and other support to funeral homes to ease the burden on the church and bereaved families.

Source: Tuko