Children Also Missing In Central Malawi Boat Tragedy

Seventeen people, including three children, are missing after a boat they were using capsized in a river lately in central Malawi.

Police said the group of 22 people was crossing the Rusa River while heading to a funeral ceremony in Mchinji district.

Five people managed to swim ashore.

A local police commander, John Nkhoma,reported that the boat was small for that number of passengers.

More rescuers are expected today to start a search mission for the missing people.

Meanwhile, authorities in the district are advising community members to avoid sailing in flooded rivers.

Malawi is recovering from a devastating tropical storm last month that killed 511 people and left 533 others missing.

BBC/Jide Johnson.