A 15-year-old boy from Chiradzulu district in Malawi has tragically drowned in the flooded Lirangwe River while swimming with friends.

The boy, Happy John, was overcome by the strong water current, leading to suffocation.

According to district police spokesperson Constable Cosmas Kagulo, the boy was swimming with friends when the incident occurred.

Despite efforts by witnesses to rescue him, Happy John was unable to survive the ordeal and was pronounced dead.

Happy John hailed from Chumachiyenda Village, Traditional Authority Chitera, in the district.