Two missing Apostolic Faith sect members found drowned in Zambezi River

 Two members of an Apostolic Faith sect who were swept away by strong currents during a baptism service on the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls on Saturday have been found deceased, two days after they went missing.

Search and rescue efforts, which had been ongoing since the incident, culminated on Monday when the two bodies were located with the assistance of a local rafting company operating on the river.

Confirming the development, Victoria Falls Residents Association chairperson, Kelvin Moyo, said the discovery brought a tragic end to hopes of finding the pair alive.

“As of this afternoon, we have received confirmation that both bodies have been found,” said Moyo. “The operation was supported by a local rafting company, and at the time of the update, teams were still working on the process of retrieving one of the bodies from the river.”

Moyo said the incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with conducting religious activities in the Zambezi River, particularly during periods of strong water flow.

He urged residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution when approaching the river and called on religious groups to prioritise safety when carrying out baptism rituals.

Authorities are expected to continue engaging relevant stakeholders on safety measures as the community comes to terms with the loss.

Source: Two missing Apostolic Faith sect members found deceased in Zambezi River (12/01/23)

American tourist dies after plunging into Victoria Falls gorge

 VICTORIA FALLS — The body of an American tourist believed to have slipped and fallen into the 108-metre-deep Victoria Falls gorge on Monday has been recovered.

A joint team of Zimbabwean and Zambian police officers carried out the recovery operation on Wednesday after the body was spotted lodged between rocks in the gorge late on Tuesday.

The alarm was raised by a Victoria Falls lodge on Tuesday when one of its guests – an American citizen – failed to return after crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia.

Search efforts intensified after the body was sighted in the gorge, prompting authorities to shift from a rescue mission to a recovery operation.

Police divers, secured with ropes, made the hazardous descent into the gorge and placed the body on a stretcher, which was then hauled to the surface after several hours.

Zambian police later positively identified the body as that of the missing American tourist, who has not been named.

Investigations into the tourist’s death are continuing.

Source: American tourist dies after plunging into Victoria Falls gorge (08/01/26)

American tourist drowns in water rafting expedition

 Police in Southern Province have confirmed the death of an American tourist who drowned during a rafting expedition on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls.

Southern Province Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo said the victim, identified as Patrick Lawrence, 68, died after the raft he was navigating capsized at Rapid Number 7 last evening.

Mr Namalongo confirmed the death of 68-year-old Patrick Lawrence in a statement to the media in Livingstone this morning.

“We can confirm that Mr Lawrence, an American national, tragically drowned during a rafting activity on the Zambezi River...

He said the accident ... was reported by Mr Obey Hamuchemba, 47, Director at Nyami Nyami Rafting Company, who was overseeing the activity.

Investigations indicate that Mr Lawrence was leading a team of ten paddlers when the raft overturned.

Mr Namalongo however confirmed the safety of the other paddlers who were in the company of the now deceased.

The South Police Chief says the body of Mr Lawrence was later retrieved and rushed to Mukuni Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Source: American tourist drowns in water rafting expedition (15/11/2025)

Further Information

American river guide Lawrence Patrick Firman dies while kayaking the Zambezi

Lawrence Patrick Firman, 68 years old, an expert kayaker and rafting guide for over 35 consecutive seasons in the USA, died while kayaking the Zambezi river on November 13, 2025. “Larry” was part of a group of over a dozen river guides (including several Zambian guides and also one non-river guide participant) who had completed a 12-day expedition trip down the Zambezi river during which Larry had kayaked through the main rapids on the river successfully. On the day after the expedition trip ended, most of the same group were doing a day-trip through the main rapids section of the river again along with 3 local river guides (from Zambia and Zimbabwe, with leader Thando Lungu) when the incident occurred. This group of 12 river guides plus 1 non-guide were in 2 paddle rafts and 2 kayaks. The two kayakers were Larry and another expert kayaker and river guide from Mexico (Uriel Arroyo). According to Uriel, who was close to Larry on the water as the incident occurred, they entered Rapid #7 just before 3 pm and kayaked through most of the rapid to the very end section known as Land of the Giants, where Larry entered a big hole that flipped him. [Mr Firman appears to have subsequently drowned attempting to roll the kayak back upright. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.] (Facebook, 17th November 2025)

Tourist Train Collision: Victoria Falls-Bound Tourists Escape Injury, Staff Hospitalised

 VICTORIA FALLS – A serious train collision just outside Gwanda early this morning has left 18 people hospitalised and raised urgent questions about Zimbabwe’s rail safety standards in 2025.

The incident involved a luxury Rovos Rail passenger train carrying 47 international tourists en route to Victoria Falls and a Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway (BBR) goods train.

The collision occurred at approximately 6:30 AM, eight kilometres outside Gwanda. While initial reports had suggested tourists were among the injured, railway officials later confirmed that all casualties were staff members. Fourteen of the injured were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital, while four were transferred to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo for further treatment. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

The Rovos Rail train had been travelling from South Africa, offering a luxury cross-border experience for tourists seeking to witness the grandeur of Victoria Falls. With the rail journey now interrupted, the tourists will complete the remainder of the 435-kilometre trip by road on Friday.

However, the rerouting comes with its own frustrations. The rail operator has warned that the journey could take up to eight hours due to deteriorating road conditions between Gwanda and Victoria Falls. Many have voiced concerns about the poor state of infrastructure and the impact this may have on Zimbabwe’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.

Rovos Rail has issued a statement apologising for the disruption and confirmed that passengers will receive a full refund for the journey.

While the cause of the collision has not yet been officially established, an investigation is underway. Transport and Infrastructure officials have been dispatched to the scene, and the Railways Inspectorate is expected to provide a preliminary report in the coming days.

Observers are questioning how such an accident could occur on a mainline in 2025, given technological advancements in signalling and train tracking systems. Critics say the accident is symptomatic of deeper issues in the country’s state-run infrastructure, which has suffered years of neglect, underinvestment, and alleged corruption.

“This is not just about a train crash,” said one transport analyst. “It’s about the failure to modernise and maintain our transport systems—something tourists and citizens alike are now paying the price for.”

Public sentiment online and in local communities has been fierce, with many Zimbabweans expressing embarrassment and outrage over the incident.

“We are a nation that boasts about Victoria Falls as a world-class destination,” said one Victoria Falls-based tour operator. “But how do we expect the world to take us seriously when we can’t even ensure the safety of a luxury train ride or offer decent roads as a backup?”

Others have pointed fingers at systemic corruption within the transport ministry and associated parastatals, alleging that misappropriation of funds meant for infrastructure upgrades has left the country dangerously vulnerable to such accidents.

As the injured recover and the tourists prepare for a long road trip through Zimbabwe’s potholed highways, the spotlight now turns to the government’s response. The tourism industry, already reeling from inflation and power shortages, can ill afford another blow to its image.

This incident has not only exposed flaws in railway operations but also reignited debate about the broader decay of Zimbabwe’s public infrastructure—a situation many believe is the result of chronic mismanagement and unchecked greed.

For now, the nation holds its breath, hoping that investigations will yield answers—and accountability.

Source: Tourists Train Collision: Victoria Falls-Bound Tourists Escape Injury, Staff Hospitalised (1804/25)

American tourists survive aircraft accident in Livingstone

AN adventurous fly over the Victoria falls almost ended deadly after the helicopter that two American tourist had booked was trying to return to the airstrip and it’s engine suddenly stopped prompting the pilot to apply emergency landing procedures yesterday.

Details are that around 16:30 hours, the two American Nationals who are lodging at Royal Hotel booked the helicopter from Batoka Sky Livingstone to fly over the Victoria Falls and the surrounding areas.

The aircraft was flown by a male South African pilot, Steenkamp Reyneke, aged 33 and their journey took off from Batoka Sky at 16:40 hours. The duration of the flight was 15 minutes. But as time for landing came, Reyneke was trying to return the Aircraft to the airstrip, heading to Chrisma Hotel and  flying above the sewer ponds.

Suddenly as the helicopter flew in the Zambian sky, its engine stopped, prompting the pilot to apply emergency landing procedures. However, the circumstances left the pilot with no option but to execute an emergency landing in an area which seemed to be open and without obstacles, but eventually landed in the sewer ponds as the aircraft could not glide further.

The accident happened at 17:10 hours, leaving one of the helicopter rotar blades deformed, but with no serious damages. Luckily for the two passengers and pilot, they survived without any injuries and were immediately evacuated after the accident.

Batoka Sky Livingstone Manager, Daniel Geldenhuys, 44 then reported the matter to Livingstone Central police station. Southern Province police Commanding Officer, Auxensio Daka who confirmed the incident said police visited the scene and found the helicopter partially submerged in the sewer ponds which is covered by aqua [acquatic] vegetation.

Source: American tourists survive aircraft accident in Livingstone (21/08/24)

UK teenager attacked by crocodile on gap-year trip in Zambia

 

Amelie Osborn-Smith was white water rafting in the Zambezi below Victoria Falls at time of incident.

A British teenager has been reportedly attacked by a crocodile while travelling with friends on a gap-year holiday in southern Africa.

Amelie Osborn-Smith, from Andover, Hampshire, was white water rafting in the Zambezi below Victoria Falls in Zambia when the reptile pounced at her, MailOnline reports.

The 18-year-old’s father said his daughter had been resting her leg over the side of the boat when the crocodile bit her and dragged her under the water.

Osborn-Smith, who was backpacking after finishing her A-levels at school in Winchester, was reportedly saved by a friend who punched the crocodile on the nose until it released her. She has been airlifted to hospital in the capital, Lusaka, about 240 miles (380km) away, where she is being treated for serious injuries to her leg.

Her father, Brent Osborn-Smith, told reporters: “She wasn’t actually swimming but just sitting on the boat and the crocodile saw her leg dangling in the water and thought: ‘There’s lunch.’

“She’s in a pretty bad state at the moment in Zambia and we’re doing our best to try and get her back to have some proper definitive care here, but obviously with a crocodile bite there’s a huge risk of infection and she’s got a very severely damaged leg. It’s quite a distressing situation.

“She’s been stabilised as best they can but it’s still pretty touch and go.”

He said Zambia was on the Covid red list, presenting further challenges in getting his daughter home.

An unnamed friend of Osborn-Smith’s told reporters: “As soon as it happened the male friend dived under the water and started punching the crocodile furiously. Then others jumped in to help. It was chaos. There was blood and people thrashing everywhere. She is lucky to be alive.”

Osborn-Smith was reportedly white water rafting with Bundu Rafting, based in Livingstone in Zambia. The company has been operating in the Victoria Falls area since 1996.

Its website says: “Be assured that we don’t compromise on safety issues on the river. Our trip leaders are the most experienced guides around: some with 20 years rafting on the mighty Zambezi.”

Another rafting company that operates in the area says on its website that the “Nile crocodile is endemic to the Zambezi River” but adds “they are not a problem”.

An adult male is usually between 2.94 metres and 4.4 metres in length and weighs between about 225kg and 414kg, although crocodiles exceeding 6.1 metres in length have been recorded.

In 2018, a woman canoeing above Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with her fiance had her arm bitten off by a giant crocodile.

Zanele Ndlovu and Jamie Fox, from south-east England, were out in an inflatable raft when the reptile attacked and punctured the vessel.

Ndlovu fell into the water and her right arm was bitten off above the elbow, just days before her wedding.

She was taken to hospital where medics saved her life, and she was married in the hospital chapel the following month.

Source: UK teenager reportedly attacked by crocodile on gap-year trip in Zambia (02/12/21)

 

Body of Tourist Who Fell into Vic Falls Gorge Found

 VICTORIA FALLS: A rescue team here has spotted the body of a local tourist who fell into the Victoria Falls gorge on New Year’s Day, but could not retrieve it as it is reportedly stuck on a concave at the foot of the gorge just above the water.

The team also spotted another unidentified body floating in the Zambezi River downstream near Rapid Number 8 during a search downstream, meaning two bodies have to be retrieved along the Zambezi River.

Rescuers comprising rafting guides who usually lead search teams for bodies that drown in Victoria Falls spotted the body of Roy Dikinya (40) of Harare Saturday but failed to reach it.

The gorge is roughly 120 metres deep from the top of the waterfall.

According to rafting guides at the site, the body fell onto a rock just above the water.

The team only spotted the body from afar but could not reach it as it is not possible to use a raft.

There are now plans to invite the Airforce of Zimbabwe to bring a helicopter which would hover on the cliff and lower rescuers using a rope to airlift the body from the gorge.

“The body has been spotted but it is not in water. It looks like it fell on the edge of the gorge and got stuck on rocks before reaching the water. What’s needed is a helicopter to lower a rope that will then be used to air lift the body.

“The other alternative will be to bring rock climbers from the Airforce of Zimbabwe who can be lowered and retrieve the body,” said a rafting guide.

Police and Zimbabwe National Parks authorities could not be reached for comment Sunday.

The second body that was spotted at Rapid Number 8 has not been identified while efforts were being made Sunday afternoon to raft it down to Rapid Number 10 where it can be lifted out of the river.

Dikinya allegedly slipped at the Danger Point within the Rainforest and fell down the more than 100 metres gorge below the waterfall.  Water levels in the Zambezi River are steadily rising owing to heavy rains that have been falling upstream.

Similar incidents of tourists drowning in the gorges have happened before.

In 2009 a local tour guide who was working for a South African safari operator fell headlong into the gorge while trying to save a European tourist who had slipped while swimming in the Devil’s Pool where “brave” tourists usually dangerously swim on the cliff.

The tour guide successfully reached for the tourist who was about to fall into the gorge and pulled him back to safety by the hand but unfortunately he slipped and fell into the gorge while the tourist survived.

In 2019, a 34-year-old Israeli tourist drowned while swimming without a life jacket in the flooded Zambezi River near the Victoria Falls Bridge before the body was retrieved three days later.

Source: Local Tourist Who Fell Into Vic Falls Gorge Spotted Stuck In A Concave (04/01/21)

More: Haunting last pic of man moments before he mysteriously toppled off cliff at Victoria Falls (04/01/21)

Zambezi River swimming ends in double tragedy

 Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

THE bodies of two Victoria Falls men who drowned in the Zambezi River on Thursday have been found floating downstream.

Police, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers and guides from the Rafting Association of Zimbabwe (RAZ) led by Wild Horizons, had been searching for the bodies of Elson Mathe (24) and Thamsanga Ncube (22) since Friday.

The two drowned at gorge number six where they had gone for swimming with a group of about 25 friends before a huge wave hit them at around 3.40pm.

The others who were closer to the edge of the river swam to safety while Ncube who was a soccer player for ZPC Hwange FC and Mathe drowned.

Kayakers who were dispatched Sunday morning to look for the bodies, spotted the first one floating on the Zambian side of the river at gorge number 7B while the other was on gorge number 9 on the Zimbabwean side.

Gorge number 7B is about 3km while gorge number 9 is about 5km downstream from gorge number 6 where the duo allegedly drowned.

RAZ chairman Mr Skinner Ndlovu led a team of guides as they sailed downstream and secured the bodies in ‘body bags’ before loading them on a raft.

They sailed further for about 10km downstream to gorge number 11 where about 60 men including villagers from nearby Monde village had gathered to help carry the bodies up the gorge.

It took about 30 minutes to reach the gorge where a police vehicle was waiting to carry the decomposing bodies to the mortuary.

Mr Ndlovu said the mission was hectic.

“We started mobilising our team after we received a call from ZRP. We usually do it with police sub aqua but they were doing another rescue somewhere. So, we set off in conjunction with police and Zimparks and we have been sending people down the river since Friday to check until today when the first team of kayakers found them and notified us.

“We organised a few guys and went down in a raft to do the recovery of the bodies. We want to thank the effort of everyone who was involved in the operation,” said Mr Ndlovu on Sunday.

He said the water level in the Zambezi River was still high and suitable only for high water rafting which starts from Rapid Number 11 going downstream.

He said any water activity between Rapid number 1 and rapid number 10 is dangerous.

Police who were at the scene commended efforts of members of the public particularly Monde villagers and RAZ members who include Wild Horizons, Shearwater Adventures, Adventure Zone, Shockwave and Try Rafting.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese appealed to members of the public to desist from playing in water bodies.

“I can confirm that the bodies of the two who drowned while swimming at gorge number 6 on the Zambezi River have been retrieved this afternoon. RAZ led by Mr Skinner Ndlovu and other rafting companies, police, Zimparks rangers and Monde villagers managed to work together to retrieve the bodies from gorge number 7 and 9,” she said.

“Just last week another life was lost when a man drowned while fishing in Msuna area,” she said.

Gorge number 6 is frequented by youths for swimming and beer drinking while some Zionist and apostolic sects also conduct prayers and baptism sessions at the same place.

Early this year a man cheated death after he fell down the cliff near the same spot during a church prayer session.

In August last year, two brothers from Chidobe outside Victoria Falls drowned at Rapid Number 19 in the same river while posing for pictures.

In February last year an Israeli tourist also drowned while swimming without a life jacket under the Victoria Falls Bridge.-@ncubeleon

Source: Zambezi River swimming ends in double tragedy (01/09/20)

Two Vic Falls Soccer Players Drown In Zambezi River – Bodies Missing

 VICTORIA FALLS: A swimming expedition ended in tragedy Thursday afternoon after two youthful soccer players here drowned in the Zambezi River and their bodies yet to be recovered.

Police have confirmed the incident.

The incident happened at gorge number six, a distance away downstream from Victoria Falls Hotel’s gorge number four, where several bodies have been retrieved in separate drowning incidents that have occurred over the years.

The bodies of Elson Mathe (24) and Thamsanga Ncube (22) had not been located by Friday evening as police waited for a sub-aqua team from Bulawayo.

The two rising soccer players were attached to Victoria Falls’ Division One side Mosi Rovers. Ncube was loaned to Chicken Inn and then ZPC Hwange last season.

While waiting for the police sub-aqua unit, rafting kayakas had sailed down the river checking for the bodies but found none.

Police had also earlier used a helicopter from a local helipad company to search for the players’ bodies from an aerial view but the search yielded nothing, and the mission expected to continue Saturday morning.

Police said the deceased and their two friends, Lucas Sibanda and Brian Dlamini had gone swimming when tragedy hit.

“Two people are feared to have drowned after they disappeared in water while swimming on the Zambezi River. On 27 August around 2 pm, the victims together with Lucas Sibanda and Brian Dlamini went to Zambezi River gorge number 6 to swim. Around 3.40 pm while they were swimming, a huge wave of water approached and they failed to swim out,” the police said in a statement.

Seeing that their friends had drowned, Sibanda and Dlamini rushed home to inform the deceased’s parents who reported the matter to the police.

The police said the Bulawayo sub-aqua team was expected Saturday to join the rafters on the search mission.

However, because of the nature of the turbulent water in the gorges, the bodies may not be visible until between three and five days. The search party could also be forced to wait for the period until the bodies decompose and release gases for them to float, according to experts.

This is not the first drowning on the Zambezi River although residents continue to go to the place for church vigils and leisure in the resort town.

The Zambezi River is the fourth largest in Africa, the longest east-flowing in the continent and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. The river’s most noted feature is Victoria Falls.

Source: Two Vic Falls Soccer Players Drown In Zambezi River – Bodies Missing (29/08/20)

Three Feared Dead, Several Injured In Bus Accident

By Matabeleland North Correspondent

THREE people are feared dead after a CAG bus travelling from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo hit a Lion Encounter truck from the back Tuesday morning.

The truck, which was carrying Lion Encounter employees, was travelling in the same direction with the bus when it was hit from the back as the truck driver attempted to turn right near the Victoria Falls Airport. 

Lion Encounter is a tour operating company.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the incident, but said she was yet to get more details.

Some passengers interviewed said an unconfirmed number of Lion Encounter workers who were in the Hyundai pick-up truck were seriously injured and rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital where they were admitted.

Two died on the spot while the third is said to have died in hospital.

“The driver of the Lion Encounter truck delayed to indicate his intentions to turn right and the driver of the bus was trying to overtake.

“When the truck suddenly turned right, it got hit from the back and overturned, killing people. The bus veered off the road but stopped without anyone getting injured,” said a passenger who was in the bus.

No one was injured in the CAG bus.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a bus belonging to Kakono Bus Service fell into Shangani River in Nkayi on Monday after the driver lost control.

This was after the bus hit three cows and it fell into the river after the driver had missed the bridge.

There have always been concerns about the narrow Tshangani River bridge as several buses have in the past also fallen into the river bed.

Nkayi District Development Coordinator Matilda Muhaso said six people were seriously injured while several others escaped with minor injuries.

She said the bus which was heading for Gokwe, from Bulawayo via Nkayi had 65 passengers on board, five of them children.

“Six passengers were seriously injured and taken to Loreto Hospital while two were later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo,” she said.

The injured were ferried to Loreto in neighbouring Silobela because Nkayi District Hospital is incapacitated as it has no x-ray equipment.

Source: Three Feared Dead, Several Injured In Vic Falls, Nkayi Bus Accidents  (11/02/20)

Microlight Pilot Killed In Livingstone

BATOKA Sky Adventures Limited owned Microlight plane has crash-landed in Livingstone, killing one person while the other is severely injured.

According to information obtained the Civil Aviation Authority the crash happened this morning [10th January] between 07:00 and 08:00 hours about 30 meters from the railway line in the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park heading to the Victoria Falls as they were conducting their
routine flights.

Source: Pilot Killed In Livingstone (11/01/20)

Pilot dies in Lstone plane crash

 A PILOT at Batoka Sky Adventures died when the microlight plane he was flying crashed in Livingstone yesterday while a passenger was severely injured.

The incident happened yesterday between 07:00 and 08:00 hours about 30 meters from the railway line in the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park, heading to the Victoria Falls.

The pilot and his passenger were conducting their routine flights.

Sources familiar with Batoka Sky Adventures identified the dead pilot as Heiko Held.

However, by press time, the Zambia Police Service had not released the details of the crash but Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) confirmed the development to the Daily Nation in Livingstone.

Director General Gabriel Lesa disclosed that the authority has dispatched experts from Lusaka to Livingstone to conduct preliminary investigations on what led to the crash.

Authorities at the Livingstone Central Hospital denied having received the body of the died pilot and the injured person from the crash.

“During a routine 6 monthly skills test that was performed this morning by the Batoka Sky flight training captain and a senior microlight pilot an accident occurred and one of the pilots, Heiko Held was tragically killed. We are currently waiting for the Zambian Civil Aviation Authority to conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident. All microlight flights will be suspended from today until further notice, Batoka Sky Group General Manager Daan Geldenhuys said.

And acting Senior Medical Superintendant Dr Chiyenu said that the hospital did not receive any report of admission of the injured nor the body of the pilot, meaning another medical facility could have been used.

Batoka Sky Adventures Managing Director Daan Brink which operates under the Livingstone Adventures could not be reached for a comment.

The Daily Nation could not establish the cause of the accident by press time.

Batoka Sky Adventures operates the only microlight flight training school in Zambia that is approved by the Zambian Civil Aviation.

It offers the highest standard of tutoring and the resident commercial pilots are carefully selected and Instructor rated.

Source: Pilot dies in Lstone plane crash (11/01/2020)

One dead after microlight crashes at Victoria Falls, Livingstone

 ONE person has allegedly been killed in microlight crash in Livingstone today.

The Zambia Police is yet to give details of the accident.

“We can confirm that there was a microlight aircraft crash at about 5 kilometers from the Victoria Falls. We are still establishing the facts and the identity of the persons and enquiries are ongoing.” a source said.

(Picture by Millennium Radio)

Source: One dead after microlight crashes at Victoria Falls, Livingstone (10/01/2020)

Further Information

The subsequent crash investigation report detailed:

"On Friday January 10, 2020, a Tanarg Neo Microlight operated by Batoka Sky Limited departed from Maramba aerodrome with the intention of conducting a performance check flight below the special rules area (SRA). At about 05:42 Hours UTC the Pilot tried to make an emergency landing on the road leading to Baobab Ridge helipad with the Microlight in a simulated engine failure mode. However, during the process of emergency landing, the Microlight right hand main landing gear hooked up in the 11kV ZESCO powerline causing the microlight to lose control and crash about 15 meters from the power lines. One Crew member on board died on impact while the other survived...

At the time the Microlight was in the process of simulated engine failure attempting to land, the Pilot was unable to see the power lines due to sun glare as he was flying into the rising sun." (Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Accident investigation Board Report, 9J-YVT)

Download the Report here (external link)

Body of Drowned Fisherman Recovered from Zambezi - Three Still Missing

Victoria Falls — Another body was Saturday retrieved from the Zambezi River as four Zambians were feared dead after being swept away while fishing illegally on the river.

Zambian police activated their Zimbabwe counterparts after six fishermen from Livingstone drowned when a speedboat overloaded with 13 people capsized near Kazungula, about 80km away from Victoria Falls.

According to a report made to the police, seven of the fishermen managed to swim to safety while six drowned.

Two bodies were retrieved a few days ago following a search along the river by relatives and police in Zambia and have since been buried.

One was swept 80km downstream and retrieved near Victoria Falls Hotel on the Zimbabwean side of the river on Saturday.

The body was retrieved by rafting guides from Shearwater and Wild Horizons together with members of the Zimbabwe and Zambian police.

The unidentified victim was found at the same gorge where an Israeli tourist who drowned while swimming was found a fortnight ago.

The fishermen's body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, was taken to Victoria Falls Hospital mortuary to allow processing of documents for its repatriation to Livingstone.

A relative of one of the missing fishermen who preferred to remain anonymous said the deceased drowned while attempting to rescue their colleagues who had been attacked by a hippo.

"Two of them were attacked by a hippo while in the water and the others all got into a boat to rescue them," he said.

"The boat was overwhelmed as it was over-loaded and capsized. Seven managed to swim to the edge of the river while six drowned.

"All families of the six have been searching for the bodies all the way from Kazungula until we found this one here in Victoria Falls.

"We don't know yet whose body it is but we will continue searching hoping all will be found."

Source: Body of Drowned Fisherman Found Near Victoria Falls Hotel - Three Still Missing After Boat Capsized (18/02/19)

Body of Drowned Tourist Recovered from Zambezi River

An Israeli tourist who drowned in the Zambezi River near the Victoria Falls hotel has been identified.

The deceased has been identified as Ofer Cohen, 34. He had entered Zimbabwe through the Victoria Falls Airport last week.

It is suspected that he went alone to the Zambezi River on Sunday to swim under the Victoria Falls bridge near Rapid Number 1. He was apparently not wearing a life jacket.

Swimming is prohibited in the Zambezi River because of the volatile currents, crocodiles and hippos, while activities on the river are done under the close watch of skilled guides. Even guided rafting activities are suspended at this time of the year on that part of the river as water levels rise daily.

Cohen was in possession of a Polish passport and was on holiday alone, police said.

He allegedly set off on a sunset stroll on Sunday, where he is believed to have jumped into the river to swim. He was only wearing a pair of shorts.

With water levels rising significantly due to seasonal rainfall upstream, Cohen was allegedly overwhelmed by the current and swept downstream from Rapid Number 1 to Rapid Number 4, where his body was found floating on Tuesday morning.

Local police were reluctant to descend the steep gorges to retrieve the body on Tuesday, instead waiting for their specialised sub-aqua unit. Two police divers from Bulawayo arrived at Victoria Falls and teamed up with rafting guides to retrieve the body on Wednesday morning.

It took more than two hours for the rescuers to recover the body. They used a swing line to bring the body to the top of the gorge on a stretcher.

Cohen’s friend Ralf Newbey, in whose house he was staying, said they reported him missing on Tuesday morning after spotting a body in the gorge.

“He drove from home on Sunday to have a sunset view of the rainforest and later went down the river for a photoshoot. That’s when he decided to swim without a life jacket. We looked for him on Monday and saw the car parked near the rainforest, and on Tuesday saw his clothes on the edge of the river, near the water,” said Newbey.

Police said they are investigating the circumstances around Cohen’s drowning.

Source: Vic Falls Drowned Tourist Body Recovered From The Zambezi River And Identified. (06/02/19)
More: Body Of Israeli Tourist Who Drowned At Boiling Point, Vic Falls Retrieved (06/02/19)

American tourist injured in hippo attack

AN American tourist is lucky to be alive after she was attacked by a hippo as she canoed with her husband on the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls Saturday morning.

Christine Yaldor, 37, was rushed to a private hospital in the resort town where she was treated for leg injuries, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management authorities said.

“The couple was attacked by a hippo when they peddled closer to it. The woman sustained injuries on the leg and was rushed to hospital after being rescued by tour guides,” said a source who witnessed the attack.

Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that an American woman was attacked by a hippo while canoeing. She sustained some injuries on her leg but she has been since treated and the wound dressed,” he said.

“Our message remains the same, we urge tourists to be vigilant and extra careful. Never underestimate these animals. Simply stay away from them. Let us be careful and avoid unnecessary deaths and injuries.”

Source: American tourist injured in hippo attack (02/12/18)

More: Victoria Falls Hippo attack: Canoe flipped into the air, American tourist dragged under water (06/12/18)

German tourist trampled by elephant, Victoria Falls

A tourist was yesterday left for dead by a raging elephant after he tried to film the dangerous animal behind a Victoria Falls hotel.

A vendor, Anele Mpofu, said he witnessed the shocking incident that left the tourist, believed to be from Germany, badly injured at around 6pm.

He said the victim was with a group of tourists that were walking from Look Out Café near Kingdom Hotel.

“I heard a loud trumpet and breaking of trees. l alerted other vendors and we rushed to the bush,” Mpofu said.

“We found an elephant bull trampling the tourist while threatening to charge at us.

“It was a case of life or death and l took a catapult and a stone that l always carry in my sling bag for protection and hit a female elephant that was standing close to the victim.

“I hit it hard on the ear and a herd of about 12 elephants with three calves moved away.”

Mpofu said the injured tourist’s wife pleaded with them to save her husband’s life but was struggling to communicate in English.

He said one of his legs was badly injured and he could hardly speak.

The vendors tried to carry the injured tourist as they sought help.

Nqabile Nkomazana, a vendor, said they found a camera and cone of ice cream at the scene.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority ( Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident .

He urged tourists to avoid drawing close to wildlife at resorts saying it was very dangerous.

“This is the breeding season for elephants and they are very dangerous,” Farawo said.

“Last week on Wednesday, another 49-year-old German woman was attacked and killed by an elephant at Mana Pools while taking photos. Elephants are very sensitive and tourists must exercise extreme caution.”

Source: Tourist trampled by elephant (30/9/18)
More: German tourist survives elephant attack in Victoria Falls (01/10/18)

Elephant kills L/stone man

 AN elephant has trampled to death a 38-year-old Livingstone hotel worker.

Southern region senior wildlife warden Lewis Daka confirmed the incident but referred all queries to the Musi-oa-Tunya National Park area warden Bovax Kachali, who said the deceased was killed at around 06:00 hours yesterday as he cycled to work.

“I received a call from our wildlife officer from our office near Chrismar Hotel entrance who informed me that a person has been trampled upon by an elephant. I called the police and also rushed to the scene. On arrival at the scene, which is in the Musi-oa-Tunya National Park, we found that indeed a man had been trampled upon,” said Kachali. “The deceased has been identified as Mutema Muzya of Linda residential area aged 38 and worked for a lodge in the kitchen. And his remains have been deposited in the Livingstone Central Hospital mortuary.”

Source: Elephant kills L/stone man (17/08/18)

Captive Victoria Falls elephant used in tourism tramples handler to death

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

A 40-YEAR-OLD man who was employed as an elephant handler by a tour operator in Victoria Falls was trampled to death by an elephant on Saturday while rounding up a herd for penning.

Mr Jorum Ndlovu of 1043 Chinotimba suburb died on the spot following the attack.

His workmates Messrs Misheck Ncube and Nyasha Phiri tried to scare the jumbo away by throwing stones at it but their efforts were in vain, police confirmed. Rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority shot dead the elephant.

Police officer commanding Victoria Falls District, Chief Superintendent Tadeus Madondo said a young bull elephant charged at Mr Ndlovu and trampled him to death.

“I can confirm that an elephant handler employed by Wild Horizons was trampled to death by one of the elephants. On July 7 at 8AM, Jorum Ndlovu, in the company of Misheck Ncube (42) and Nyasha Phiri (23) who both reside at Wild Horizon Camp drove seven domesticated elephants from the pens to the grazing area in the Wild Horizon sanctuary,” said Chief Supt Madondo.

“At around 11AM the three were ordered to drive back the elephants to the stables as there were some tourists who wanted to do a ride. As they are were driving them, two young elephants started fighting and other female elephants joined in.”

Chief Supt Madondo said the two young bulls fled in different directions as the bigger elephants charged at them.In the process, one of the elephants charged towards Mr Ndlovu who took to his heels.

“The elephant charged in the same direction of the handler who fled and it pursued and trampled on him. His two colleagues threw stones at the elephant to scare it away and by the time they got to where he was lying he was already dead,” said Chief Supt Madondo.—@ncubeleon

Source: Domesticated  Victoria Falls elephant tramples handler to death (10/07/18)
More: Victoria Falls Elephant Handler Trampled to Death By Jumbo (10/07/18)

More (external links):

SA’s elephant industry under pressure to end elephant rides (10/06/17)
The truth behind elephant back riding in South Africa (25/11/16)
Can elephant tourism be ethical? (The Telegraph, 02/02/16)
Breaking Africa's elephants (pdf report, World Animal Protection Canada)

More captive elephant incidents (from this blog):
'Domesticated' elephant shot after trampling handler, Victoria Falls (03/02/18)
Captive elephant used in tourist elephant-back safaris kills handler (Livingstone, Zambia) (02/04/13)
Elephant-back Safaris “Simply Accidents Waiting to Happen” Warns Top Tourism Insurer (10/05/17)
Captive Elephant Used In Tourism Safaris Kills Handler In Victoria Falls (19/12/08)