KATEMA
By CHILA NAMAIKO-
TWENTY-FOUR of the 25 bodies of people that drowned in Lake Kariba in Gwembe on Friday have been retrieved.
In fact, the total number of those who drowned is 25 and not 26 as reported on the day the accident happened.
Meanwhile, chief Government spokesperson Joseph Katema has praised efforts by the combined rescue team, who by yesterday had retrieved 24 bodies.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said the search was conducted by a combined team of divers from police and Zambia Army.
As of yesterday morning, 17 bodies were recovered but the number went up to 24 later in the day.
The 25, mostly pupils going for independence celebrations, drowned when a 14-seater boat carrying 34 people, capsized on Lake Kariba in Gwembe around 07:30 hours.
The pupils and teachers were from Henga Primary School heading to Kalelezhi Primary School to join others in celebrating Zambia’s 50 years of Independence.
Dr Katema said the efforts of the army and police divers and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit were complemented by local fishermen.
He said the bodies were being flown to Lusaka due to lack of mortuary space in Gwembe.
So far, 14 bodies have been transported to Lusaka awaiting postmortem and subsequent burial.
The search for the remaining body continues.
