7 die as boat sinks in central Mozambique

Seven people, including two policemen, were drowned after a boat sank to the bottom of Zambezi River due to bad weather in central province Tete in Mozambique on Monday night.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, John Manhoso, the Administrator of the Zumbo district of Tete, the boat carried a total of 11 people from one district to another, and the bad weather was the cause of the accident.

"We appeal to sailors and other navigators of this river, to be wary of the overcrowding of their vessels and the current temperature in the day to day," he said, adding that the steps to find the bodies are ongoing.

"In this desperate moment, we are asking for help from nearby residents and island residents to report to authorities in case any bodies are found," the administrator said.

Most of the river accidents that occur in Tete are caused by crocodiles and hippos.

Since Monday, a three-day meeting is being held in Maputo to discuss ways of reducing sea and inland water accidents. Only in 2017 more than 230 died of maritime accidents in Mozambique.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)