Three juveniles drown in Lundazi construction pit

Three (3) juveniles have drowned in Lundazi’s Chipembele area, after they attempted to swim in a rainy-water-filled construction pit. Police have named the deceased boys as Daniel Kasaro 12, Wistedy Here 12, and Dalitso Tembo 11 all of Islamic Compound area. The incident happened when the trio, in the company of other children decided to go and swim in a pit which was created during road construction works, for the purpose of collecting gravel.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba told ZANIS that 6 children all below the age of 13 decided to go and swim in pit filled with rain water before 3 boys dived into the water and drowned in the process. “Yesterday, February 22, 2026, around 13:40 hours, six children went to swim at plots located in Chipembele area. The first 3 children jumped into the water without knowing the depth of the pit and ended up sinking to the bottom,” Mr Mweemba stated.

The other 3 children ran back home to alert their parents after noticing that their friends did not resurface A combined team of Police and fire brigade have since retrieved the bodies that have been deposited into Lundazi District Hospital mortuary awaiting burial arrangements. And in an unrelated development, a four-year-old girl of Katambalala Village, Lundazi district was yesterday hit by motorcycle,and died on the spot. Martha Mbewe 4, sustained fractured legs and a deep cut on the forehead after being hit by the motorbike, which was ridden by Stacio Tembo, 30, of Eluhangeni village, in Chasefu district.

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The East Police Chief said the road traffic accident happened after the rider lost control of the motorbike due to excessive speed and and hit the victim (pedestrian), who was coming from the opposite direction. The now deceased was in the company of her aunt, Elizabeth Nyirenda, 17, who is reported to have escaped unhurt. “The accident occurred on February 22, around 17:30 hours at Msuzi area, along the Lundazi-Chipata road,” Mr Mweemba said.

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