Four Dead After Hippo Capsizes Canoe on Shire River
Published on August 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM by Evance Kapito
Police have confirmed the death of four people after a hippopotamus attacked and capsized a canoe on the Shire River in Chikwawa District yesterday.
The deceased have been identified as Enert Tesifolo, 38, of Mwalija Village, T/A Kasisi; Alick Kadyamba, 47, of Mchacha Village, T/A Ngabu; Peter Mtengo, 51, of Namalindi Village, T/A Katunga; and Elina Nsona, 21, of Chang’anima Village, T/A Makhwira.
According to Chikwawa Police Station Deputy Publicist Chancy Mfune Zare, 12 people were in the canoe as they attempted to cross the river on their way from their gardens.
“A hippopotamus suddenly appeared and hit the canoe, forcing it to capsize. Well-wishers managed to rescue eight people, while four others drowned in the process,” Zare said.
He further confirmed that police retrieved the bodies, and a postmortem conducted by medical practitioners at Chikwawa District Hospital established that the four died due to suffocation.
