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Ten Ethiopian migrants are feared to have drowned after their canoe capsized while attempting to cross the Zambezi River illegally from Zambia into Botswana, Zambian authorities said on Wednesday.
Police and immigration officials said in a joint statement that 15 Ethiopians attempted the river crossing on Monday night. Two survivors were arrested, while authorities believe 10 others drowned. The whereabouts of three other reported survivors remain unknown.
The two detained survivors, aged 33 and 35, were identified as Ethiopian nationals.
Officials said the 33-year-old had no travel documents, while the 35-year-old allegedly failed to present himself to immigration officials after entering Zambia despite holding a passport.
Authorities said no bodies had been recovered and stressed that the reported deaths remain unconfirmed pending the outcome of ongoing search operations.
“At this stage, no bodies have been recovered, and the reported drowning of the 10 individuals remains unconfirmed pending the outcome of the ongoing search operation,” the statement said.
Migrants frequently use rivers to avoid official border crossings in southern Africa.
The Zambezi, Africa’s fourth-longest river, flows through or forms the borders of Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
