Tragedy Strikes in Mozambique as Unlicensed Ferry Boat Capsizes, Resulting in Multiple Fatalities

At least 94 people, including children, have tragically lost their lives in a ferry boat accident off the northern coast of Mozambique, with 26 individuals still missing, according to an official from the country's Maritime Transport Institute (INTRASMAR).

The boat involved in the incident was actually an overloaded fishing vessel that was not authorized to carry passengers, as revealed by Lourenco Machado, an administrator from INSTRASMAR, during an interview on state television on Monday.

On Sunday, there was a tragic maritime incident where a barge carrying 130 people capsized. Out of the 130 people, at least 94 lost their lives, and currently, 26 individuals are still missing.

According to reports, the boat was transporting passengers from Lunga in Nampula province to Mozambique Island. It is believed that the barge was struck by a tidal wave, leading to the devastating accident.

Alfredo Zuniga/UNICEF Mozambique/Reuters

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According to a local maritime administrator cited by state broadcaster TVM, the passengers were escaping from a cholera outbreak.

Jaime Neto, the secretary of state for Nampula province, also confirmed that the passengers were fleeing from cholera, as reported by the BBC.

He told the BBC that the boat sank because it was overcrowded and not meant for passengers, with many children among the casualties.

Social media videos showed numerous bodies on a beach and individuals carrying the bodies of children. Reuters was unable to verify these videos at the time.

Mozambique and other countries in southern Africa have been battling cholera outbreaks since last year.

Editor's P/S:

This heartbreaking tragedy highlights the devastating consequences of overloading and using unauthorized vessels for passenger transport. The fact that the boat was not meant to carry passengers and was overcrowded speaks to the desperation and lack of safe transportation options in the area. The loss of so many lives, including children, is a profound tragedy that demands urgent action to improve safety standards and provide reliable transportation for communities in need.

The ongoing cholera outbreak in Mozambique further exacerbates the situation, forcing people to seek refuge in overcrowded and unsafe vessels to escape the deadly disease. The government and international organizations must prioritize addressing the cholera outbreak and providing safe and accessible transportation for affected communities. It is essential to invest in infrastructure, enforcement of safety regulations, and education campaigns to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.