Mozambique Ferry Tragedy: Over 90 Lives Lost in Cholera Fear

In Mozambique, more than 90 people have died after a ferry sank off the north coast of the country.

The boat, carrying 130 passengers, was overcrowded as it operated between Lunga and the Island of Mozambique in Nampula province.

Rescue efforts continued into Monday with several people still missing.

According to TV Diário Nampula, passengers had various motivations for their journey, with some heading to a fair while others sought refuge from a recent cholera outbreak in the region.

Misinformation about the outbreak reportedly caused panic, leading people to board the ferry hastily.

Jaime Neto, the secretary of state in Nampula province, emphasized the role of misinformation in the tragedy.

He highlighted how fear of the alleged cholera outbreak drove passengers to overcrowd the vessel, which typically serves as a fishing boat.

Recent months have seen Mozambique, as well as neighboring countries Zimbabwe and Malawi, grappling with a deadly cholera outbreak.

Authorities are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the disease.

The incident underscores the challenges faced by Mozambique, where many areas are only accessible by boats due to a poor road network.

Overcrowding on boats is a common issue, exacerbated by the limited access to certain regions by land or air.