Zambezi river baptism goes wrong

A baptism ceremony turned tragic on Saturday morning after two members of an apostolic sect were reportedly swept away by strong currents of the Zambezi River at Rapid Number 5, near Victoria Falls.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the day, with preliminary reports suggesting that the pair were conducting a religious baptism ritual when they were overpowered by the fast-flowing water.

Authorities said full details were still being established, but police were on their way to the scene at the time of reporting. The identities of the two church members had not yet been released.

The Zambezi River, particularly the rapids below Victoria Falls, is notorious for its deceptive strength and treacherous conditions, even during periods when water levels appear manageable. The gorge and rapids have claimed several lives over the years, prompting repeated warnings from authorities against entering restricted or dangerous sections of the river.

The tragedy comes just days after another fatal incident in the same area. On Wednesday, a 49-year-old American tourist, Christopher Erik Daniel Gibbs, was retrieved from the gorge after reportedly falling to his death from the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls.

Emergency services and law enforcement agencies are expected to provide further updates as search and rescue efforts, if any, continue and investigations into Saturday's incident progress.

More details are expected to emerge as authorities gather additional information.