Two individuals remain missing following a shipwreck last week off the coast of Metuge district, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
Sources cited in Monday’s edition of the independent news outlet Carta de Moçambique, said the incident was attributed to adverse weather conditions and overloading.
It involved two sailing vessels, the Wema Auvunda and the Andorinha.
Both boats were en route to Quissanga district, where they were to deliver food intended for people fleeing Islamist insurgency up north.
A fisherman, Saíde Assengo, said the vessels had departed from Paquitequete at dawn and failed to reach their respective destinations.
He explained that lives had been lost, while others had been rescued, although the exact number of fatalities remained unknown.
One of the missing persons is reported to be an employee of a non-governmental organisation subcontracted by the World Food Programme (WFP), as part of its food aid initiative for families displaced by the terrorist violence.
An official told Agência de Informação de Moçambique that the shipwreck had taken place in the Namavi area, approximately 17 nautical miles from the point of departure.
He indicated that the main cause of the tragedy had been the inclement weather.
The two vessels had reportedly been transporting around 10 tonnes of assorted goods belonging to the WFP.
Although weather conditions at the time of departure had been deemed suitable, the vessels were later caught in adverse conditions at sea.
During the incident, five individuals were rescued and given shelter by members of the Namavi community.
Search operations remain ongoing, led by a multi-sector team comprising members of the Coastal, Lake and River Police (ITRANSMAR), the Pemba and Ibo Maritime Authority, and local community volunteers. However, persistent bad weather continues to hinder the rescue efforts.
