Shipwreck in Mozambique: nearly 100 dead recorded
An overloaded boat carrying passengers and goods sank off the coast of Mozambique on Sunday evening, leaving nearly 100 people dead, according to a provisional toll from local authorities.
The tragedy occurred off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, in the northeast of the country, a region plagued by an Islamist insurgency since 2017. The boat, which was carrying about 130 people, was traveling from Ibo to the town of Mocimboa da Praia when the accident occurred.
According to initial information from the investigation, the boat capsized due to overloading and bad weather. Many passengers, including women and children, ended up in the icy water.
Rescue operations continued on Monday, but hopes of finding survivors are dwindling. Authorities said that about a dozen people had been rescued, but that several others were still missing.
This shipwreck is the latest in a series of deadly maritime accidents that have mourned Mozambique in recent years. In 2020, more than 60 people died in the sinking of an overloaded boat in the Mozambique Channel.
Mozambican authorities have called for caution and compliance with safety standards during boat crossings. They have also promised to strengthen controls on the country’s waterways.
