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8 die in Monze hippo attack
By Cynthia Phiri in Choma
Sat 12 Apr. 2014, 14:00 CAT



EIGHT people have died when the boat they were in capsized on the Kafue River after being hit by a suspected hippo.
Confirming the development in an interview, Monze district commissioner Biggie Mwinde said the deceased were fishermen from Namalyo Island on the Kafue flats, and were taking fish to Monze for sale when they met their fate on Tuesday.
"There were two boats; one was carrying five people and the other one 12…so the boat carrying five people was the first one to be hit by a suspected hippo, causing it to capsize. Two people drowned and died while the other three managed to swim to safety," he explained.
"The second boat carrying 12 people was also hit by the same hippo. It also capsized, six people drowned and died while the other six managed to swim."
Mwinde said of the eight people who died, two were juveniles. Their bodies have since been retrieved and buried.
"Members of the community in Monze, with the help of Zambia Wildlife officers, have managed to retrieve the...bodies. They were found in a decomposed state and have been buried," said Mwinde.