The death toll from the capsizing of a makeshift ferry boat off Mozambique’s northern coast has escalated to 96, as confirmed by local authorities on Monday.
The ill-fated vessel, a repurposed fishing boat, was ferrying approximately 130 passengers when it encountered difficulties on Sunday.
The boat was en route to an island off the province of Nampula, according to officials.
Island administrator Silverio Nauaito informed AFP, “In the last few hours, five more bodies have been discovered, bringing the total number of fatalities to 96.”
He further revealed that the deceased included three children. As search operations persist, rescuers have managed to find 11 survivors thus far.
Authorities had previously speculated on Sunday that the boat’s sinking could be attributed to overcrowding and its unsuitability for passenger transport.
Jaime Neto, Nampula’s secretary of state, indicated that the majority of the passengers were attempting to flee the mainland due to a widespread panic triggered by misinformation regarding cholera.
Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries located in southern Africa, has reported nearly 15,000 cases of waterborne diseases and 32 deaths since October, as per government data. Nampula has been the hardest hit, accounting for a third of all cases.
The boat was destined for the Island of Mozambique, a small coral islet that once served as the capital of Portuguese East Africa and lent its name to the country.
Unverified footage making rounds on the internet seemingly depicts dozens of bodies strewn across a beach.
