Boy, 7, drowns in Petauke

A seven-year-old boy of Chipana Village in Chieftainess Mwanjabanthu’s Chiefdom in Petauke district has drowned after falling into a well while attempting to drink water. Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the sad development that occurred on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Mr Mweemba disclosed that the deceased fell into a three-metre well while […]

 A seven-year-old boy of Chipana Village in Chieftainess Mwanjabanthu’s Chiefdom in Petauke district has drowned after falling into a well while attempting to drink water.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the sad development that occurred on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Mr Mweemba disclosed that the deceased fell into a three-metre well while attempting to drink water from it.

According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, the brief facts of the matter are that on the fateful day, at around 10:00 hours, 35-year-old Beatrice Mwale, mother to the deceased, went to attend the Kutilansembe traditional ceremony, leaving her two children, both juveniles aged seven and 12, at home.

After their mother left, the 12-year-old boy, who was herding cattle, took the animals for grazing near a garden.

Minutes later, the deceased followed his 12-year-old brother, whom he found in the garden where the animals were grazing.

“That is how he flipped and fell into the well, which is about three metres deep,” Mr Mweemba said.