By Rahim Abdul
Police in Mangochi are urging members of the public to avoid swimming or playing near rivers, uncompleted swimming pools and abandoned water structures.
Speaking to 247 Malawi News Mangochi Police Spokesperson Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi,said the warning follows a tragic incident which occurred over the weekend where 19-year-old Hanifu Malombe drowned in unfinished swimming pool at a certain lodge located along Shire River.
Malombe and his nine friends on Saturday climbed over a brick-fenced wall to access the uncompleted lodge that had been abandoned for years due to flash floods.
They began swimming in the incomplete pool, unfortunately Malombe went to a deeper part where he drowned. His body was retrieved by local fishermen who were around the premises.
The matter was reported to Mangochi Police Station who took the dead body to Mangochi District Hospital. Postmortem results confirmed death was due to suffocation.
Police are strongly advising the public to avoid swimming in flooded or abandoned water bodies. During this rainy season, water bodies can be deeper and more dangerous than they appear that can lead to drowning.
Furthermore the public must remain vigilant and prioritize safety at all times to avoid such incidents.
The deceased hailed from Mapira village, Traditional Authority Mapira in Mangochi.
