A tragic incident has occurred in Mozambique, where at least 94 people have lost their lives and 26 individuals remain missing after an unlicensed ferry boat capsized.
Tragedy struck off the northern coast of Mozambique, claiming the lives of at least 94 individuals, including children, with 26 others still missing, as a ferry boat capsized.
The passengers were reportedly fleeing the cholera outbreak devastating the nation, as stated by state broadcaster TVM.
The vessel, identified as an overloaded fishing boat, was not authorized to transport people, according to Lourenco Machado, an administrator of INSTRASMAR, who made the announcement on state television on Monday.
“On Sunday we registered a maritime incident where at least 94 people died when a barge carrying 130 people capsized. We have recovered 94 bodies and 26 are missing,” he said.
The boat was ferrying people from Lunga in Nampula province to Mozambique Island, he said, adding that initial reports indicated that it was hit by a tidal wave.
The passengers were fleeing a cholera outbreak, said state broadcaster TVM, citing another local maritime administrator.
Jaime Neto, secretary of state for Nampula province, also said that the passengers were fleeing cholera, according to the BBC.
“Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers, it ended up sinking,” he told the BBC, adding that many children were among the dead.
