Mozambique: Beira Fishing Port sees third fire in three years

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Mozambique: Beira Fishing Port sees third fire in three years

1:03 CAT | 27 Apr 2020

Photo: O País

A Pescamoz fishing vessel burned at its mooring last Saturday morning in Beira Fishing Port, where it was anchored among many other vessels.

The fire occurred in circumstances still unknown, and an investigation is underway to establish what happened.

This fire, the third in as many years, has left ship owners concerned, and the fishing port and police authorities on the alert.

The first fire – attributed to a short circuit – occurred in early 2018, and the second – neglect during maintenance work – in the middle of last year.

This latest blaze was noticed at around 7:30 a.m. by the crew of another nearby fishing vessel, who immediately tried to alert the occupants.

“There were three people on board, when we saw a lot of smoke at the stern of the boat. We shouted in an attempt to alert the crew, but they ignored our warning, and minutes later strong flames started to consume the boat. Then the crew abandoned the boat, and we had to make several manoeuvres to isolate the burning boat, there being many boats nearby,” Rafael José, one of the fishermen involved, said.

While damage to the vessel was extensive, the prompt intervention of the crew of other boats anchored in the port, and of the authorities, in coordination with the municipal firefighters, the Mozambique Railways (CFM) and Cornelder, which has a private vessel on hand, prevented any loss of life or serious injury.

“Nothing can be recovered. The damage is enormous,” Pancho Rosálio, owner of the boat, complained. “All goods that were on the boat burned. We have already asked the police to investigate this case. We need to understand what caused the fire.”

At the time of filing, firefighters had not established the cause of the blaze, and SERNIC had reportedly already commenced investigations.

By Francisco Raiva

Source: O País