A devastating tragedy has unfolded off the north coast of Mozambique, Africa, as a ferry carrying more than 130 passengers capsized, leaving over 90 people dead. The ill-fated ferry was en route from Lunga in the Nampula region to an island, with passengers seeking refuge from a cholera outbreak in the area.

According to reports from BBC News, the overcrowded ferry, overwhelmed by the weight of its passengers, succumbed to the perilous conditions, leading to its tragic sinking. Despite the valiant efforts of rescue teams, only five individuals have been successfully rescued thus far, leaving a harrowing toll of loss and grief.

Jaime Neto, the Secretary of State for Nampula, lamented the heartbreaking loss of life, particularly noting the presence of many children among the victims. Neto underscored the perilous conditions aboard the ferry, highlighting its overcrowded and unfit state for passenger transport, which ultimately contributed to the devastating accident.

Footage shared on social media paints a grim picture of the aftermath, with scores of lifeless bodies strewn across a beach, serving as a stark reminder of the unforgiving toll of the maritime disaster.

Reports from Portuguese broadcaster RTP indicate that the ferry was navigating from Lunga to the coast of Nampula on Mozambique Island. The region, grappling with cholera outbreaks since January last year, has faced significant challenges in containing the spread of the disease, exacerbating the perilous circumstances faced by fleeing passengers.

As Mozambique mourns the loss of lives in this tragic incident, authorities are grappling with the aftermath and striving to provide support to the affected families. The ferry disaster serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and oversight to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.

 

 

 

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