More than 90 people tragically lost their lives after a ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, according to reports from domestic authorities. The ferry was carrying nearly 130 individuals who were fleeing a cholera outbreak, as reported by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Jaime Neto, the secretary of state for the province of Nampula near the incident site, stated that the overcrowded and unsuitable conditions of the boat led to its sinking. Many of the deceased were children.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly show numerous bodies on a beach and individuals carrying the bodies of children, though Reuters has not independently verified these videos.
Authorities are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the boat disaster, as reported by The Guardian citing AFP.
Out of the nearly 130 individuals on board, only five were rescued, and two of them are currently receiving medical treatment.
The ferry was en route from Lunga in the province to Mozambique island, off the coast of Nampula, according to the BBC. Government officials have not yet responded to Reuters' requests for comment on the matter.
