On Sunday, April 7, over 100 people lost their lives in a ferry incident off the northern coast of Mozambique, as announced by President Filipe Nyusi the following day.
Following the disaster, nearly 20 individuals are still missing. The tragedy involved an overloaded fishing boat, repurposed to carry 130 passengers from Lunga in Nampula province to Mozambique Island.
The vessel was not sanctioned for passenger transport and encountered a tidal wave that led to the catastrophe. Lourenco Machado from Mozambique’s Maritime Transport Institute (INTRASMAR) revealed on state television that the boat was sailing from a cholera-stricken area. According to the Office of the Secretary of State for Nampula province, the passengers were trying to flee the health crisis. Only ten individuals were saved from the accident.
President Nyusi has expressed his deep regret over the tragic incident and has sent the country’s transport minister to the island to lead an investigation. The government of Mozambique is preparing to discuss measures to lessen the disaster’s impact.
Disturbing footage indicates a grim aftermath with numerous bodies found along the shoreline.
Mozambique, along with other Southern African countries, is currently dealing with cholera outbreaks. The country has reported more than 15,000 cases and 32 deaths since October. The Nampula province has been hit particularly hard, reporting 5,084 cases and 12 fatalities.
This maritime disaster further emphasizes the ongoing challenges Mozambique faces, including the battle against its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years. From September 2022 to January 2023, over 43,000 cases were reported across 30 districts in seven provinces, leading many to risk their lives in search of safety.
Mozambique’s efforts to control the cholera outbreak have been hindered by inadequate clean water access and poor sanitation infrastructure. As a response, international aid, including a $1.5 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund, has been directed towards improving health services and water and sanitation facilities in affected communities.
This incident also highlights the precarious living conditions many Mozambicans face, including limited access to safe transportation and the severe consequences of overcrowding on non-licensed vessels. The Southern African nation, one of the poorest globally, heavily depends on such boats for transportation, particularly in remote areas lacking sufficient road, land, and air access.
As the search for missing passengers continues, the community mourns the loss of life.
