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More than 100 individuals lost their lives and nearly 20 remain unaccounted for following the capsizing of a ferry off Mozambique’s northern coast, President Filipe Nyusi confirmed on Monday. The tragedy involved an overcrowded fishing boat, improperly used to transport 130 passengers, which sank while traveling from Lunga in Nampula province to Mozambique Island. This incident was reported by Lourenco Machado, an official with the country’s Maritime Transport Institute (INTRASMAR), during a state television broadcast. He noted that the vessel was likely struck by a tidal wave.
The passengers were escaping a cholera outbreak in their region, according to a statement from the Office of the Secretary of State for Nampula province. Despite the efforts, only 10 individuals were rescued. In response to the disaster, President Nyusi expressed his condolences and tasked the nation’s transport minister with conducting an on-site investigation. He announced that the Mozambican government would convene to deliberate on the situation and formulate strategies to mitigate the effects of this calamity.
Visuals shared by Reuters depicted several deceased individuals along a beach, with some scenes showing residents moving the bodies of children. This maritime disaster comes as Mozambique, among other Southern African countries, faces recurrent cholera outbreaks. Since October, Mozambique has reported over 15,000 cases of cholera, with 32 resulting fatalities. Nampula province alone has seen 5,084 cases and 12 deaths related to this ongoing health crisis.
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