A Four-Month-Old baby has miraculously survived a drowning incident on Lake Kariba after a dugout canoe capsized, killing the infant’s mother and two other adults.
The tragedy, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 14, 2026 has prompted calls for stronger adherence to water safety measures and support for the surviving child.
Relative Emma Kapuka told ZANIS that the deceased were crossing the lake to attend a clinic appointment when the canoe overturned.
“The canoe was carrying three adults who all died, including the baby’s mother, while the infant survived,” she said.
Ms Kapuka appealed to well-wishers to assist with food, diapers, milk supplements and other essentials for the child during this difficult period.
Chief Simamba of Siavonga District commended the Marine Police for their timely response in retrieving the baby and recovering the bodies of the deceased.
He urged fishers and other lake users to adhere to safety measures, including wearing life jackets, noting that unstable weather conditions on the lake had made sailing and fishing increasingly risky.
Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Department, through the Public Welfare Assistance Programme, is facilitating the infant’s basic needs to ensure food, health and care are provided.
Two bodies have so far been retrieved, with search operations still underway for the third.
Chief Simamba emphasised that tragedies of that nature highlighted the urgent need for communities to take water safety seriously.
“We must protect lives by following safety guidelines at all times,” he said after interacting with relatives of the baby at Siavonga Police Station.
The incident has underscored the vulnerability of families who rely on Lake Kariba for transport and daily activities, and the importance of ensuring safety measures are observed to prevent further loss of life.
