Current:Home > StocksBaby dies, dozens feared dead after hippo charges and capsizes canoe on river in Malawi-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Baby dies, dozens feared dead after hippo charges and capsizes canoe on river in Malawi
lotradecoin fast account setup process View Date:2024-12-25 14:28:30
A 1-year-old child died and 23 people were missing and feared dead after a hippopotamus charged into and capsized a canoe on a river in southern Malawi, authorities said Tuesday.
The long wooden canoe was carrying 37 people across the Shire River on their way to neighboring Mozambique when it was hit by the hippo in the Nsanje district on Monday.
Malawian police rescued 13 with the help of World Food Program personnel who were working in the area and provided boats for the rescue operation, Nsanje District Police Commissioner Dominic Mwandira said.
The people were feared dead because the search had been going on for more than 24 hours, police spokesperson Agnes Zalakoma said.
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera sent Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia to the scene. She said locals told her hippos often caused problems in the area and they wanted authorities to relocate some of the animals.
"The search mission to locate the missing individuals is currently underway," Zalakoma said.
The canoe started to list and eventually capsized after the hippo collided with it, Zalakoma said.
The Shire is Malawi's largest river.
Boat accidents are common in Malawi, where the lack of regular water transport forces many to cross lakes and rivers in sometimes rickety boats, in the absence of proper regulations.
Last month at least five people died after an overcrowded boat sank in Malawi's central district of Mchinji.
Hippos, which weigh up to 8,000 pounds, are the heaviest land animal after the elephant, according to World Wildlife Fund. They take refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come ashore to feed.
AFP contributed to this report.
- In:
- Malawi
- Hippos
veryGood! (4233)
Related
- Demi Lovato opens up about how 'daddy issues' led her to chase child stardom, success
- Report: Workers are living further from employer, more are living 50 miles from the office
- Jessica Alba and Cash Warren's 2024 Oscars Party Date Night Is Sweeter Than Honey
- Eva Mendes Has an Iconic Reaction to Ryan Gosling's I'm Just Ken Oscars Performance
- Get 70% Off Kate Spade, 70% Off Coach, 40% Off Banana Republic, 40% Off Disney & Today's Top Deals
- John Mulaney and Olivia Munn Are a Perfect Match in Custom Fendi at 2024 Oscars
- Sean Ono Lennon wishes mom Yoko Ono a happy Mother's Day at the Oscars
- Lionel Messi does not play in Inter Miami's loss to CF Montreal. Here's the latest update.
- Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly lower, Japan’s Nikkei 225 falls 2.5%
Ranking
- Social media celebrates Chick-Fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake: 'Can I go get in line now?'
- Photo agencies remove latest Princess Kate picture over 'manipulation,' fueling conspiracy
- Who is Robert Hur? A look at the special counsel due to testify on Biden classified documents case
- Counselor recalls morning of Michigan school attack when parents declined to take shooter home
- Rob Schneider Responds to Daughter Elle King Calling Out His Parenting
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly lower, Japan’s Nikkei 225 falls 2.5%
- Gwyneth Paltrow Has Shocking Reaction to Iron Man Costar Robert Downey Jr.’s Oscars Win
- How much is an Oscar statue worth? The resale value of Academy Awards statues is strictly regulated
Recommendation
-
Meta kills off misinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle despite pleas from researchers, journalists
-
TikTok is a national security issue, Sens. Mark Warner and Marco Rubio say
-
Eva Mendes to Ryan Gosling at Oscars: 'Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed'
-
Eva Mendes to Ryan Gosling at Oscars: 'Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed'
-
Gena Rowlands, acting powerhouse and star of movies by her director-husband, John Cassavetes, dies
-
Andrea Bocelli and son Matteo release stirring Oscars version of 'Time to Say Goodbye'
-
Ryan Gosling greets fans, Vanessa Hudgens debuts baby bump: The top Oscars red carpet moments
-
Katharine McPhee and David Foster Smash Their Red Carpet Date Night at 2024 Oscars Party