* The vessel was carrying excessive goods, which reportedly caused an electrical spark that triggered the fire
* The fire was intensified by strong easterly winds, which made it difficult for the crew to notice it until it had spread considerably
By Kennedy Minjale, Malawi News Agency (MANA) in Likoma & Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
A Malawian woman, identified as Joyce Chimaliro, has been reported dead in the accident involving MV Chambo that was destroyed by fire on Lake Malawi early this Sunday.
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Speaking to MANA, Likoma District Commissioner Abubakar Nkhoma indicated that the deceased hailed from Madimba Village, Group Village Headman Chamba, under Senior Chief Mkumpha III in Likoma District.
Nkhoma said preliminary reports indicate that the vessel was carrying excessive goods, which reportedly caused an electrical spark that triggered the fire.
“The fire was intensified by strong easterly winds, which made it difficult for the crew to notice it until it had spread considerably,” said the DC.
He reported that fishermen on the lake helped rescue passengers after the crew distributed life jackets and jumped into the water as the fire spread.
He said the government, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), was supporting efforts to transport Chimaliro’s body and her surviving daughter back to Malawi.
The incident has exposed marine operations on Lake Malawi known as Coast Guard patrols, that to keep track of vessel activities.
“This is a very sad development,” said Oscar Lemon on Facebook. “This accident exposes Africa’s negligence when it comes to fire and rescue.
“Lake Malawi is shared by Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania. Ships sailing on Lake Malawi are mostly patronised by citizens of these countries sharing the lake.
“As a safety measure, all three countries were supposed to, at least, have two or three fire fighting boats for a quick response in times of disaster.”
A fire-fighting lake vessel reported to be operated by Tanzanian authorities
Lemon observed that “only Tanzania recently bought a fire fighting and rescue boat worth about 5 billion Tanzanian shillings. Africa tulo kwambiri on safety issues )Africa sleeps on the job in as far as safety issues is concerned)”.
In July, Malawian marine law enforcement were only notified after Tanzanian-registered speed boat, Makutuwima Cruise, belonging to businessman Andrew Makutuwima Nyirenda, was reported missing on Lake Malawi.
It departed Mbamba Bay in Tanzania heading for Nkhata Bay in Malawi carrying four Dutch tourists and three crew members, two Malawians and a Tanzanian.
The passengers and crew were later traced of their whereabouts when Tanzanian officials noticed the Malawian counterparts that the boat was located at Luwiru and were later rescued.
It was also reported the Tanzanian registered passenger speedboat further flouted serious marine procedures, as it was discovered that the incident resulted from poor seamanship because the boat operator commenced the journey despite weather warnings issued by meteorological authorities.
That incident happened two weeks after a Tanzanian-registered cargo vessel, carrying coal destined for Portland Cement in Balaka, was detained in Mangochi when its crew attempted to dock at Monkey Bay having sailed all the way from the Tanzania’s Mbamba Bay Port without being cleared by the Malawian marine authorities.
It was later allowed to dock and was released after thorough security inspections by the Malawi Navy, Police, Immigration and other security agencies.
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