Malawi: A lightning strike in Lake Malawi at Moto Fishing Dock in Mangochi has claimed the life of two fishermen who were on a fishing trip with their colleagues. The accident happened on the New Year’s eve when the weather in the region was less than ideal for fishing. The police force has identified one of the victims as residents of the Traditional Authority Namabvi.
The other victim was a resident of the Mwanapiye Village, Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba district Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer, revealed the details of the incident with the media. She said that the incident happened on New Year’s Eve in the area of Traditional Authority Namabvi in the Mangochi district.
The Police officers have identified the two as 25 year old Adam Paudala, from Ng’ombe Village in Traditional Authority Namabvi in the district and 20 year old Mark Nedi from Mwanapiye Village, Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba district.
The Police Public relations officer said that eight fishermen were fishing at Lake Malawi in the evening on December 31. They were on two canoes with each canoe having four individuals. “In the course of the fishing, a strong Mwera wind accompanied by heavy rain and thunderstorms hit the area,
“The lightning struck their canoe, causing significant damage and electrocuting the two men. All four fishermen in the canoe fell into the water. The other two were rescued by their colleagues from the second canoe while the victims Paudala and Nedi drowned and went missing, ” added Daudi.
The bodies of the two victims were found floating near Moto Fishing Dock on January 1, 2025, after a search was organized by local fishermen.
She said: “Police officers and medical personnel from Lungwena Health Centre examined the scene. A postmortem confirmed that the cause of death was a cardiogenic electric shock, secondary to suffocation.”
The Police in Mangochi have asked fishermen follow weather forecasts and avoid fishing during severe weather conditions. This will help to prevent similar tragedies.