Police spokesman Kelvin Maigwa told AFP five people were aboard the canoe trying to cross the river into neighbouring Mozambique at the time of the attack.

"The crocodile took them by surprise," he said.

He said two passengers swam ashore. Police are still looking for the bodies of the other three, Maigwa said.

Summer rains, which start in October, make roads in southern Malawi impassable and people rely on boats and canoes for transport.

TERRA.WIRE