Mozambique ferry disaster kills more than 90 – officials

Officials in Nampula have confirmed that more than 90 people have died after a ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique. 

Around 130 people are believed to have been on board, and only five people have been rescued, officials added. 

They were fleeing a cholera outbreak, Nampula Secretary of State Jaime Neto said. Many children were among the dead, he added.

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

A video circulating on social media apparently shows dozens of bodies lying on a beach. The video is however unverified. 

Portuguese broadcaster RTP reports the boat was travelling from Lunga to Mozambique Island, off the coast of Nampula.

Nampula province has been badly affected by the cholera outbreak which has spread over several countries in southern Africa since January last year. 

According to Unicef, the current outbreak is the worst in 25 years. Since October 2023, Mozambique has reported 13,700 confirmed cases and 30 deaths.