Africa

Africa

Zimbabwe boat tragedy claims 11 lives

27 December 2011 00:23 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Eleven people including five children drowned after their boat capsized in a lake near the Zimbabwe capital Harare, police said Monday, APA reports quoting AFP.

The Christmas Day accident occurred at around 7:00 pm Sunday on Lake Chivero, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of Harare, police spokesman Andrew Phiri told AFP.

"A boat carrying about 19 people was hit by a wave and capsized leading to 11 people drowning, five of whom were children," he said, adding: "Three crew members and five others managed to reach shore and survived."

The bodies were retrieved Monday morning and were being identified.

On Saturday, also on Lake Chivero, a National Parks game ranger drowned after his boat was hit by a strong wind while a friend who was with him survived.