A sombre mood has engulfed Kapoti Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Zilakoma in Nkhata Bay District where a man has lost four family members, inuding his wife and children.

In this village—a mother, her two children and an in-law—are feared dead after a boat they were travelling in capsized on Lake Malawi on Friday night.

Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola said of the 11 passengers involved in the accident, five survived while six are still missing.

A boat similar to this one capsized on Lake Malawi on Sunday

He said: “The accident happened in the Chigona area, between Mozambique and Likoma Island. We are still investigating to establish the cause of the accident. But so far, we have gathered that the 11 boarded a small pedal boat.

“We are currently in touch with our colleagues in Mozambique to get more details.”

Andrew Chimwayo, 39, is the husband and father of the missing individuals.

In an interview, he said his wife, Stella Phiri, 35, is feared dead together with Esther Chimwayo (one-year-old), Andrew Chimwayo Junior (five) and his in-law Lucy Nkhula, 17.

The other child, Raphael Chimwayo, eight, survived the accident, said Chimwayo.

“I’m in shock. I’m failing to come to terms with reality. I can’t accept that almost my whole family is feared dead. I never expected this would happen to me,” he said.

When The Nation visited his village on Sunday evening, a sizable crowd was seen mourning.

Chimwayo is a Mozambican fisher based at Kiwirwi in Nkhata Bay. But his family lives in Mozambique.

On the fateful day, his wife had decided to visit the husband together with his children.

“They boarded a sailboat from Mozambique with an intention to catch the MV Ilala in Likoma. But along the way, the boat capsized and most of my family members are missing,” said Chimwayo.

He said efforts are still underway to rescue the victims.

“There is a team in Mozambique searching for the bodies. We are just praying that the operation is successful,” said Chimwayo.

Nkhata Bay Marine boat surveyor/examiner Chikosa Mkandawire said the department in Nkhata Bay has not received an official report about the accident.

He, however, said the department does not have jurisdiction over the accident because it happened in Mozambique.

“All we hear is that the boat was going to Likoma and they encountered heavy mvuma winds and the boat capsized,” said Mkandawire.

Ministry of Transport and Public Works director of marine Captain John Mhango said most boats in Nkhata Bay and Likoma are not licenced to carry passengers.

“They cross the lake on a daily basis. And we don’t even know who has crossed. That’s why we emphasise that only licenced boats should be plying their trade on the lake,” he said.

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