More than 90 individuals lost their lives when a boat overturned near the northern coast of Mozambique on Sunday. Reports from local media indicated that the passengers on the boat were escaping a cholera epidemic and were en route from Lunga to Mozambique Island, situated off the coast of Nampula.
A spokesperson from the island’s administration disclosed that the fishing vessel had a capacity for up to 100 passengers, yet it was carrying approximately 130 individuals.
According to the AIM news agency, which cited a representative from the maritime authority, the vessel likely capsized due to being struck by high waves. This tragic incident occurred amidst Mozambique grappling with its most significant cholera outbreak in the past 25 years, as reported by UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s relief organization.
Since the outbreak commenced in September 2022, over 37,000 cases have been documented in the region.
