Twelve die in fishing boat accident

Leonard Ncube

Twelve people are feared dead in Binga, northern Zimbabwe, after the boats they were using for fishing on the Zambezi river capsized following strong winds that hit the area recently.

The 12 were reportedly in four separate rigs when strong winds hit them, resulting in the boats sinking, killing them on the spot.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said he had not received a report about the missing 12 people who are alleged to have drowned in the Chibuyu area, downstream from Binga.

He however confirmed a separate incident that killed two Zambians in Mlibizi where a canoe with 16 people also capsized, resulting in two people drowning on the spot.

Binga District Development coordinator Mrs Lydia Banda-Ndethi who chairs the district civil protection unit, confirmed the incident saying investigations were underway.

Binga North member of parliament Mr Prince Dubeko Sibanda also confirmed the incident saying rescue teams are on the ground searching for the bodies.

Kapenta fishing is popular on the Zambezi river where fishermen, some from Zambia, use rigs at night.