Tragedy Strikes Lake Mweru: Two Fishermen Drown
Two fishermen are feared drowned after strong waves capsized their canoe on Zambia’s Lake Mweru, while two others were rescued. Search efforts continue for the missing men.
Tragedy struck on Lake Mweru in Chienge District, Luapula Province, where two fishermen are feared drowned after their canoe capsized due to strong waves.
The incident involved four individuals, with two successfully rescued by fellow fishermen. The missing individuals have been identified as John Lukwesa, 26, and Jameson Mwansa, 28. The survivors are John Mambwe, 20, and Robert Chanda, 32.
Luapula Province Commanding Officer Lucky Munkhondya issued a statement on Tuesday, confirming that the bodies of the two missing fishermen had not yet been recovered and that search efforts were actively underway.
Providing details of the unfortunate event, Munkhondya stated, “Brief facts are that on October 25, 2026, around 17:30 hours, the victims left Chipuma area on a fishing spree on Lake Mweru. Whilst fishing, around 21:00 hours, the victims encountered strong waves, sending them overboard and causing them to drown.”
Other fishermen in the vicinity, hearing shouts for help, promptly rushed to the scene and managed to rescue John Mambwe and Robert Chanda, who were still swimming.
Despite continued efforts, the search for John Lukwesa and Jameson Mwansa has so far proved unsuccessful, with authorities and local fishermen persisting in their attempts to locate them.