LUSAKA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Remaining bodies of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who drowned when a boat capsized on Lake Mweru in Chiengi district in Luapula Province have been retrieved, the police said on Monday.
Esther Mwaata-Katongo, Zambia police spokesperso said the three remaining bodies aged between 13 and 18 have all been identified as refugees from the DRC.
Seven refugees drowned after the boat they were in capsized over the weekend.
According to the police spokesperson, the refugees left a transit center in Nchelenge district in the same province without authorization and hired a boat which is believed to have been overloaded with about 35 refugees.
The accident happened when a small boat which was carrying luggage and a few people and was being towed by an engine boat capsized due to strong winds before the engine boat also capsized, resulting in the drowning of the victims.
The police have since beefed up security and upped patrols at the refugee transit center following attempts by some refugees to run away, according to provincial police commissioner Elias Chushi.
He told local media that police presence has been increased to prevent refuges from fleeing the camp.
