Lango Web

By Geoffrey Omara in Apac, 4 May 2009

Four fishermen including a senior three student Peter Agum from  Chawente and Nambieso sub counties in Apac district have drowned in Lake Kwania when torrential downpour accompanied  by a fierce storm hit them over the weekend.

The fishermen from Agee, Abali, and Bung landing sites on the same lake, died in a separate incident that hapened at 5.00 pm on Saturday.

They were Peter Owera and Peter Agum a student Nambieso Agro Secondary School who died instanly with his brother only identified as Odongo a few metres from Abeja landing site.

The chairman of Beach Management Unit (BMU) James Oruk told reporters yesterday that the fishermen were thrown in waters when their dug out cannoes were hited by sparkling heavy water waves.

Eyewitnesses said the victims? boats capsized and as they struggled to swim ashore, they were swept to their death by the huge waves.

They explained that the fishermen's attempts to save their life was rendered futile as they made several alarms to attract rescuers who also feared the fiery storms and heavy waves.

The District Police Commander of Apac Peter Max Sirkye urged the fishermen  and travelers to desist from entering water bodies when the weather is bad.

He also warned fishermen against overloading canoes while crossing water at the expense of passengers.

"When the weather is cloudy, stop entering the water bodies for fishing or transporting passengers and never risk your life for the monetary gains as life is never renewed when lost", Sirikye advised.

He also cautioned fishermen against getting into waters after drinking alcohol as they could be too weak to row canoes faster when attacked by storms in the water.