The Zambia Police Service and the Department of Immigration wish to inform members of the public of a suspected drowning incident involving Ethiopian nationals in the Zambezi River near Village Mwaanga in Chief Sekute's Chiefdom, Kazungula District.
The incident is alleged to have occurred on the night of 13th July 2026, when a group of 15 Ethiopian nationals reportedly attempted to cross the Zambezi River illegally from Zambia into Botswana using a canoe.
The matter came to light on 14th July 2026, after members of the public alerted the Department of Immigration to the presence of two suspected Ethiopian nationals who had sought assistance after emerging from the river.
Immigration officers responded promptly and identified the two as Menigstu Getachew Arenga (33), an undocumented Ethiopian national, and Anebo Madamo Demeke (35), who was found in possession of a passport but had allegedly failed to present himself before an Immigration Officer upon entry into Zambia, contrary to the Immigration and Deportation Act.
According to preliminary information obtained from the two individuals, the canoe allegedly capsized during the crossing.
They reported that five (5) members of the group managed to swim to safety, while ten (10) others are suspected to have drowned.
The whereabouts of the remaining three alleged survivors are currently unknown.
Following the report, the Zambia Police Service and the Department of Immigration immediately launched a coordinated search and rescue operation involving the Zambia Army Marine Special Forces, the Zambia Police Marine Unit, and the Fire Brigade and Rescue Services.
The operation is ongoing to locate the suspected victims, trace the reported survivors, and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
At this stage, no bodies have been recovered, and the reported drowning of the ten individuals remains unconfirmed pending the outcome of the ongoing search operation.
Meanwhile, the two Ethiopian nationals are in lawful custody, where they are assisting with investigations.
They are also being processed for failure to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer upon entry into Zambia.
The Zambia Police Service and the Department of Immigration appeal to members of the public to report any information that may assist the ongoing search and urge communities in border areas to continue reporting suspected illegal border crossings and human smuggling activities to the nearest law enforcement agency.
Further information will be communicated as investigations and the search operation progress.
Issued jointly by:
Godfrey Chilabi (Mr)
PRO-Zambia Police Service
Namati H. Nshinka (Mr)
CPRO-Department of Immigration