The death toll from a makeshift ferry boat sinking off the north coast of Mozambique has risen to 96, local authorities said Monday.
The boat was carrying 130 people, many of whom were children, as they attempted to cross to Mozambique Island from Lunga in Nampula province.
According to local online TV Diário Nampula, some of them onboard were heading to the island to attend a fair, while others were fleeing a cholera outbreak.
Nampula Secretary of State Jaime Neto was quoted as saying that misinformation regarding a suspected cholera outbreak caused people to panic and board the boat.
“Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers it ended up sinking,” Mr. Neto said.While rescue efforts continued on Monday, only eleven people of the 130 onboard have so far been rescued.
