Police withdraw 90% of search team
Police has withdrawn 90 percent of the officers deployed to help in the search of missing people in the Easter Sunday Rumphi boat tragedy.
Rumphi Police Station said on Thursday it had withdrawn 18 officers who were part of a team of 20 police officers helping in the search.
Rumphi Police spokesperson Victor Khamisi said in an interview the withdrawal of the officers followed a fruitless search for 10 missing people.
He said only two police officers are remaining to help in the search and record statements in case of recoveries and rescues. The two are from Chiweta Police-post.
Said Khamisi: “There were 20 police officers on the ground and most of them have left the scene. There are now two who are there to respond to any developments.”
However, the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has maintained its search team of divers and other soldiers.
MDF acting spokesperson lieutenant Wilned Chawinga said MDF will be in the area for the next 21 days. He said divers are searching day and night for the missing people.
About 70 people, mostly members of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, boarded an unseaworthy boat on April 16 2017 on their return from Mlowe where they attended Easter prayers.
Upon arrival at Zunga, the boat faced a storm and the operator failed to control it, leading to its capsizing. To date, six people have been confirmed dead 54 survived and 10 are still reported missing. n
