Three infants and six civil servants have cheated death after a boat they were on capsized in one of the water channels in the Bangweulu wetlands of Lunga district.

However, a Zambia Army Officer is feared dead in the same accident.

The incident happened yesterday around 10:00 hours at Chipeni area on lake Bangweulu five teachers, one health worker, two toddlers and three others were traveling back to Lunga district.

ZANIS reports that Lunga District Commissioner Mathews Mwewa confirmed  in an interview adding that the victims were travelling back from holiday in readiness for the opening of schools today.

Mr Mwewa explained that the survivors were rescued by sailors who were also heading the same direction on another boat.

” The officers started off from  Mpanta near the source of Luapula river going to Lunga to attend their services, as you are aware that those working in education after closing of school are given chance to go home to see their family members. This is due to the nature of the district,” Mr Mwewa said.

Mr Mwewa has identified the Zambia Army Officer as Musosha Jasper, age unknown, whose body has not yet been retrieved stating that a search for his remains has been launched on the water.

” The search team has not managed to retrieve the body after a long search, which will continue,” Mr Mwewa said.