MV Chambo vessel fire on Lake Malawi results in one death

A Malawian woman, Joyce Chimaliro, has died following a fire on the vessel MV Chambo on Lake Malawi early Sunday. Preliminary reports suggest the fire was triggered by an electrical spark caused by excessive goods being carried on the vessel.

Strong easterly winds intensified the blaze, making it difficult for the crew to detect the fire until it had spread significantly. Passengers were rescued by local fishermen after the crew distributed life jackets and entered the water.

The Likoma District Commissioner, Abubakar Nkhoma, confirmed the identity of the deceased, who was from Madimba Village. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoMA) is assisting in the transport of Chimaliro’s body and her surviving daughter back to Malawi.