Three people have died after a canoe they were travelling in capsized on the Shire River on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Mtundu Fishing Dock in Mangochi District.
Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, has identified the deceased as Gift Chikolosa, 26, from Mtongole Village; Chipiliro Mtalika, 27, from Samama Village; and Liffa Chimera, 31, from Nkali Village. All hail from villages under Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District.
Daudi said reports indicate that a group of nine friends, led by Gift Chikolosa, had gone swimming at Mtundu Fishing Dock. While there, they borrowed the canoe from a fisherman with the intention of crossing to the other side of the river to pick mangoes.
She added that as they were about to depart, Liffa Chimera, who was also heading in the same direction, approached and requested to join them together with his wife and two children.
“However, shortly after setting off, the canoe began to sink. The occupants raised an alarm, attracting the attention of nearby well-wishers who rushed to their rescue. Ten people were successfully rescued, while the three victims unfortunately drowned,” she explained.
Preliminary findings later indicated that the canoe was designed for fishing activities and was not suitable for transporting passengers.
Upon receiving the report, a team of detectives and medical personnel from Mangochi District Hospital rushed to the scene.
Post-mortem examinations conducted on the deceased established that they died due to suffocation.
Police in the district are urging members of the public to observe water safety measures, avoid overloading boats and ensure that only suitable vessels are used for transportation to prevent similar tragedies.
