20 feared dead as boat capsizes in Zambia

Over 20 people are feared dead in Zambia's Nchelenge district after a boat capsized on a lake, the state-run news agency reported on Thursday.

Nineteen other people are reported to have survived when the overloaded boat capsized on Lake Mweru around 11. a.m. on Wednesday. The injured have been admitted to a local hospital, according to the Zambia News and Information Service.

The boat was carrying around 40 people with their merchandise, beyond the limits of its design capacity, the District Commissioner Derrick Mwelwa was quoted as saying.

He said the windy weather on the lake might have also contributed to the accident, adding that the boat was not registered and had no life jackets.

Zambian marines were engaged in the rescue operation and the investigation was underway.