Sinking of the Zico
| Date | 7 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Off the coast of Mozambique |
| Type | Boat sinking |
| Deaths | >100 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2 |
| Missing | ~20 |
On 7 April 2024, a fishing boat converted for use as a ferry with about 130 people on board sank off the north coast of Mozambique between the Mozambique Channel and Mossuril Bay.[1]
Over 100 people were killed including many children. Around twenty people were still missing. [2][3] The ship was traveling from Lunga in Mossuril District (Nampula Province) to the Island of Mozambique. Most of the passengers were trying to escape the mainland because of a cholera outbreak in southern Africa, with Nampula province being one of the worst-affected. Nampula province's Secretary of State Jaime Neto said that misinformation about cholera caused people to panic and board the boat. Others were travelling to attend a fair on the island.[4] Rescuers found five survivors, and two were hospitalized.[5]
Bodies washed up on the beach, and some were quickly buried in line with Islamic rites.[5] Authorities initially blamed the sinking on overcrowding, but later said the boat sunk after taking on water.[5]
According to Berta Madime, a journalist from Mozambique, this disaster comes despite recent pressure on ferry operators to improve safety.[5]
There is little oversight for the thousands of ferries operating in Mozambique, and incidents are not uncommon. However, the incident was notable for its high death toll.[5]
References
- ^ Mozambique: More than 90 killed as overcrowded boat sinks
- ^ Dodental scheepsramp Mozambique opgelopen tot boven 100
- ^ At least 94 dead in Mozambique ferry disaster as packed vessel sinks, say officials
- ^ "Mozambique: over 90 people killed after boat sinks". Africanews. 8 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Vock, Ido (8 April 2024). "Mozambique ferry disaster kills more than 90 - officials". BBC.
External links
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