A boat carrying 130 people, including many children capsized while crossing to Mozambique Island from Lunga in Nampula province.
Local online media TV Diário Nampula reported that some of those onboard had been travelling to attend a fair on the island while others were fleeing a cholera outbreak.
Nampula Secretary of State Jaime Neto was reported as saying that misinformation about an alleged cholera outbreak caused people to panic and board the boat. “Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers it ended up sinking,” said Mr. Neto.
While rescue efforts continued on Monday, only five people of the 130 onboard have so far been rescued, according to officials.
