AFP Maputo
Maputo
Updated Monday, April 8, 2024-00:06
More than
90 people died
on the northern coast of
Mozambique
due to the capsize of a fishing boat that was used as a ferry and was
sailing packed with passengers,
local authorities reported this Sunday.
The ship was carrying around 130 people and experienced problems when it tried to reach the island of Mozambique, in the province of
Nampula.
"Because the ship was overcrowded and was not suitable for transporting passengers, it ended up sinking (...) There are 91 people who lost their lives," reported
Jaime Neto,
Secretary of
State of Nampula.
Among the deceased are many children, the official added.
The rescuers have so far found five survivors and the searches continue, but the sea conditions make the operation difficult.
Most of the passengers traveled to the island because of panic caused by
misinformation about a cholera outbreak,
Neto said.
This southern African country, which is
one of the poorest in the world,
has recorded nearly 15,000 cases and 32 deaths since October from this disease, which is transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water.
Nampula is one of the most affected areas and has recorded a third of the cases.
Authorities reported that a team of investigators is working to determine the causes of the shipwreck.