10 ETHIOPIANS FEARED DROWNED IN KAZUNGULA RIVER TRAGEDY

10 ETHIOPIANS FEARED DROWNED IN KAZUNGULA RIVER TRAGEDY

A suspected human smuggling attempt has ended in tragedy after 10 Ethiopian nationals were feared drowned when a canoe reportedly capsized on the Zambezi River in Kazungula District.

The Zambia Police Service and the Department of Immigration say the group of 15 Ethiopians was allegedly attempting to cross illegally from Zambia into Botswana on the night of July 13.

Two Ethiopian nationals were later found and are assisting investigators. According to their account, five people swam to safety, while 10 are believed to have drowned. The whereabouts of three other alleged survivors remain unknown.

A joint search and rescue operation involving the Zambia Army Marine Special Forces, the Zambia Police Marine Unit, the Fire Brigade and the Department of Immigration is underway.

Authorities say no bodies have been recovered so far, and the reported drownings remain unconfirmed as search efforts continue. The two survivors remain in lawful custody over alleged immigration offences.