Cabo Delgado: Cargo on shipwrecked boat belonged to vessel owner, not the WFP – Lusa

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Cabo Delgado: Cargo on shipwrecked boat belonged to vessel owner, not the WFP – Lusa

2:37 CAT | 22 Jul 2021

Photo: TVM

The maritime administrator of Pemba clarified today that the cargo on the boat involved in a shipwreck that killed 12 people in northern Mozambique belonged to the vessel’s owner and not to the World Food Program (WFP).

“The owner of the cargo was the owner of the vessel, who was also on board, not the World Food Programme (WFP) [as had been said],” Tuacale Avelino told Lusa today.

At issue is the death of 12 people in the sinking of a vessel carrying four tonnes of foodstuffs in Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique.

The vessel was carrying 26 people, 12 of whom died. The incident appears to have been caused by excess cargo and bad weather, according to the maritime administrator in the provincial capital.

Avelino also said that the vessel’s crew violated maritime safety regulations by not providing life jackets, in addition to having started their trip before 5:00 a.m., the time recommended by the maritime authorities.

The person responsible for the crew is in police custody and an inquiry into the incident will be carried out so that “situations of this type do not recur”.

@wfp_mozambique is deeply saddened to hear reports of an incident off the coast of Ibo Island on 20 July 2021. We extend our sincere condolences to those involved. We would like to clarify that this was not a WFP boat and the cargo onboard did not belong to WFP.

— WFP Mozambique (@wfp_mozambique) July 22, 2021