Zambian fisherman, 68, drowns in Lake Bangweulu after canoe overturns

A 68-year-old man has reportedly drowned while fishing on Lake Bangweulu in Chilubi District after the canoe he was using capsized due to strong winds. The victim, identified as Frederick Chomba, drowned on 19 March 2026 at Kashitu Village, according to Simunji Mulonda, the Northern Province Police Commanding Officer. Mulonda said in a statement on Saturday that Chomba had gone fishing around 14:00 hours with two grandsons, aged 19 and 20.

The deceased shared a canoe with the 19-year-old while the other grandson used a separate canoe. “At about 16:00 hours, the canoe used by the deceased and one of his grandsons capsized due to strong waves caused by a sudden strong wind,” Mulonda said. The grandson who was with Chomba managed to swim to the second canoe, which was a distance away, leaving his grandfather struggling in the water and unable to swim.

Police were alerted and a combined team of marine officers and detectives visited the scene. Mulonda said the search for Chomba’s body was still underway as it had not yet been recovered. The police chief expressed concern over the growing number of drowning incidents in the province.

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“Drowning cases have become prevalent in the province. Fishermen are strongly advised to study weather patterns before embarking on a fishing expedition to avoid loss of life, as we have seen several people perish on lakes and rivers in the recent past,” he said. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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