At least 96 people died and more than a dozen were missing after an overcrowded boat sank off the coast of Mozambique yesterday.
This was revealed by the Mozambican local authorities.
In a statement Jaime Neto, the secretary of state of Nampula Province said,
“The vessel was carrying about 130 people way above its capacity,” he said
It is said that Nampula Province is where the disaster took place.
Mr. Neto added that the boat was headed to the Island of Mozambique from the town of Lunga.
He went on to say that some people were traveling to the island to attend a fair while others were fleeing the mainland for fear of being affected by a cholera outbreak.
According to the Mozambican government data, since October, the southern African country has recorded almost 15,000 cases of cholera, a waterborne disease, and 32 deaths.
Nampula Province has been one of the most affected areas.
Mr. Neto also said that at least three of the bodies the authorities retrieved were children.
He added that 11 people had been rescued, and that children were among those still missing.
STORY BY GILCHRIST MUZA
