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Mauritius Denies Cruise Ship Entry Over Cholera Fears
Mauritian authorities Saturday denied permission for the Norwegian cruise ship “Norwegian Dawn” to dock in the capital, Port Louis, over concerns of a potential cholera outbreak on board.
At least 15 individuals on the ship have been isolated due to suspected illness, prompting the decision by Mauritius “to avoid any health risks,” officials stated.
Samples from the ship underwent testing yesterday, with results expected tomorrow. Passengers reportedly experienced mild stomach illness symptoms during their South African leg of the trip, according to a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings representative.
A Dutch passenger onboard claimed the captain informed them of a potential cholera outbreak on board. Notably, southern Africa has experienced cholera outbreaks in recent months, with Zambia being the most impacted region.
The United Nations reports that over 188,000 individuals across seven southern African countries have contracted cholera since January 2023, resulting in over 3,000 deaths.
“The well-being of both passengers and the nation as a whole remains paramount to the authorities,” declared the Mauritius Ports Authority.
The “Norwegian Dawn” arrived in Mauritius on Saturday evening, a day ahead of schedule due to skipping a stop in Réunion Island. The ship carries 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members. Originally, 2,000 individuals planned to disembark in Port Louis, while an equal number were scheduled to board the ship simultaneously.
The Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson announced that those planned disembarkation and embarkation will now take place on February 27th.
15 Killed in Burkina Faso Church Attack
At least 15 people were killed and two others injured in an attack on a Catholic church in Essakane village, Burkina Faso, Sunday, February 25th, 2024.
The attack occurred during Sunday worship and targeted the church in Oudalan province, near the border with Mali.
Suspected Islamist militants are believed to be responsible, according to a church official. The local authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
A statement from Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, head of the local diocese, confirmed the deaths. Twelve individuals were killed at the scene, while three succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
“In this time of suffering, we call for prayers for the victims, the wounded, and the bereaved families,” the statement said.
This attack marks the latest act of violence attributed to Islamist militants in Burkina Faso. Over a third of the country is currently under rebel control, with Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State operating in the region.
Churches have been repeatedly targeted in recent years, resulting in numerous casualties among worshippers.
Burkina Faso, under military rule since 2022, recently withdrew from the regional ECOWAS bloc along with neighboring Mali and Niger. The withdrawal cited a lack of assistance in combating terrorism.
President Ibrahim Traoré, the military-backed leader, expressed openness to deploying Russian troops to fight jihadists in the country earlier this month.
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