Mozambique’s president says ferry disaster leaves more than 100 dead, 20 missing

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said on Monday that more than 100 people were killed and nearly 20 others were missing after a ferry sank off the country’s northern coast. The passengers were reportedly fleeing a cholera outbreak.

An official from the country’s Maritime Transport Research Institute (INTRASMAR) said the vessel, which was carrying 130 passengers, was an overloaded fishing vessel and did not have a manned permit.

INTRASMAR administrator Lorenzo Machado told state television that the ship was transporting people from Lunga in Nampula province to the Mozambique island on Sunday, adding that initial reports suggested the ship had been hit by a tsunami .

The passengers were reportedly fleeing a cholera epidemic, the Nampula Provincial Secretary of State’s Office said in a statement, adding that 10 people had been rescued and nearly 20 others were still missing.

Nyusi said he was saddened by the tragedy and directed the southern African country’s transport minister to visit the island to investigate.

“The Mozambican government will meet tomorrow to assess the situation and take the necessary measures to minimize the impact of this incident,” his office said.

Video obtained by Reuters showed numerous bodies lying on the beach, some carrying the bodies of children.

Mozambique and other countries in southern Africa have been battling a cholera epidemic since last year.

Mozambique government data shows that the country has recorded 15,051 cases of cholera since October, killing 32 people.

As of Sunday, Nampula province had 5,084 confirmed cases and 12 deaths.