According to ZANIS, the Luapula Province Police Commanding Officer, Mwala Yuyi, confirmed the sad news, identifying the baby as Wisdom Ng’andwe, a little boy.
Mr. Yuyi explained that the baby was being carried on the back of his 19-year-old mother, Kalunga Changwe, using a chitenge wrapper when the accident happened around 11:00 AM.
As reported by the baby’s grandfather, Changwe Mantelo, 48, from Talayi Village, the mother had gone to get water from a neighbor’s well with her baby safely on her back.
While she was bending down to get water, the baby slipped out of the wrap and fell into the well.
Despite the quick actions of villagers and police who rushed to help, the baby was found lifeless in the water.
“Initial investigations show that the baby was securely wrapped in the chitenge. However, when the mother bent down to fetch water, the baby slipped out, leaving the wrap hanging on her waist and shoulders. Sadly, by the time the police and community members got the baby out, he had already drowned,” Mr. Yuyi stated.
The Commanding Officer noted that there is no suspicion of foul play, and the baby’s body has been taken to his grandfather’s home for burial.
However, he mentioned that an inquiry has been opened to find out more about what happened during this tragic event.
Credit: ZANIS
