By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 11, Mana: Two of three fishers missing on Thursday after they were swept away by strong water currents whilst fishing in Lake Malawi in Likoma District.

Assistant Public Relations Officer for Likoma Police, Chisomo Thomson said the missing fishers, Patrick Chilachila and Emmanuel Kapanga both of Chamba Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mkumpha in the district.

He disclosed that the trio went fishing on Wednesday and after casting their nets, they started they journey back to Likoma, engine of their boat developed a fault and the water currents forced them to seek refuge at Chizumulu Island.

Thomson said after fixing the problem, they went back for their nets but found them completely damaged by the strong water currents hence started heading back to Likoma.

" The engine failed again and as they were trying to fix it Chilachila lost balance and fell into the water, his brother-in-law Kapanga tried to rescue him but he fell in and both were swept away by strong waves. Yamikani Sitenilamu, 24 tried to call for help but no one came to their rescue," he said.

Thomson said the matter was reported at Likoma Police where a search party which included Police and other stakeholders was instituted to help in searching for those missing and currently the searching exercise is still underway.

Meanwhile, Police in the district are appealing to the fishermen to pay attention to weather forecast and refrain from going into the waters against the warning by the Department of Meteorology Services.