Tragically, 94 people, including children, perished when an improvised ferry boat overturned off the northern coast of Mozambique. Sunday afternoon’s catastrophe sent shockwaves across the region, causing communities and families to mourn.
The devastating news was delivered to state-run Radio Mozambique by Silvério Nauaito, the administrator of the Island of Mozambique, according to Farai Mutsaka of The Associated Press. Nauaito verified that the ferry sank, leaving its occupants to fight for their lives in a desperate attempt to survive.
The initial death toll was ninety-one, but sadly it increased to ninety-four as three more remains were found in the early hours of Monday. The abrupt increase in casualties highlighted the seriousness of the marine mishap and the difficulties rescue crews encountered in finding and rescuing individuals.
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Nauaito gave more information, stating that at the time of the accident, the ferry was carrying 130 passengers. Of these passengers, eleven were hospitalised for injuries they acquired during the capsizing, and 94 perished in the terrifying encounter.
The world community expressed grief and solidarity after learning of the ferry’s sinking, which shocked Mozambique and beyond. Concerns about the safety protocols for maritime transport and the requirement for stricter restrictions to avert similar tragedies in the future are raised as authorities carry out their inquiry into the accident’s cause.