More Than 90 Killed in Mozambique Ferry Disaster, Officials Report

More than 90 individuals have lost their lives in a tragic ferry accident off the northern coast of Mozambique, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred in April 2024. Reports from Nampula province indicate that only five individuals have been rescued out of the approximately 130 passengers believed to have been aboard the vessel.

The passengers were reportedly fleeing a cholera outbreak in the region, shared Nampula Secretary of State Jaime Neto. Among the deceased, many were children.

Jaime Neto stated, “Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers, it ended up sinking.”

A video circulating on social media, although unverified, purportedly depicts numerous bodies strewn across a beach.

The ill-fated journey was en route from Lunga to Mozambique Island, situated off the coast of Nampula.

Nampula province has been grappling with a severe cholera outbreak, part of a larger outbreak that has affected several countries in southern Africa since January of the previous year.

Unicef reports that this outbreak is the most severe in 25 years, with Mozambique recording 13,700 confirmed cases and 30 deaths since October 2023.

Furthermore, Mozambique has been contending with an Islamist insurgency in neighboring Cabo Delgado province for over six years, resulting in the loss of at least 4,000 lives and displacement of nearly one million individuals.

Historically, Mozambique Island served as the capital of Portuguese East Africa for nearly four centuries during colonial rule. The island holds UNESCO World Heritage status due to its colonial architecture and significant history as a trading hub.