Cabo Delgado attacks: Ambush on truck carrying passengers leaves 16 dead

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Cabo Delgado attacks: Ambush on truck carrying passengers leaves 16 dead

2:00 CAT | 31 May 2019

An ambush on a truck carrying passengers in northern Mozambique killed 16 people on Tuesday, one of the bloodiest attacks in the wave of violence in the region, local sources told Lusa today.

The open van was transporting people and their goods from Mucojo to Quiterajo along a dirt road on the coast in Macomia district, Cabo Delgado. The vehicle was reportedly nearing its destination in the afternoon when it was ambushed by armed men.

According to reports from local sources including both residents and the authorities, some people managed to flee, but eight – including three soldiers – died on the spot and their bodies burned when the attackers set fire to the vehicle.

Another seven passengers, rescued by nearby communities, eventually died, several from gunshot wounds. The body of another passenger was found nearby, showing signs of having been shot while attempting to flee.

The eight people who died and whose bodies were burned were buried near the incident for lack of any means to evacuate them, the same sources added.

The district of Macomia has been one of those worst affected by the armed attacks carried by unidentified individuals which started in Mocímboa da Praia in October of 2017.

The attacks in Cabo Delgado, where natural gas mega-projects are under way, have killed at least 200 people.

Public observers from Mozambican NGO the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) reported 13 attacks in May, with 25 deaths, dozens injured, hundreds of houses burned and many villages abandoned.

CIP staff were monitoring the electoral census, which ran from April 15 to last Thursday. The death toll from the attacks does not include the fatalities in Quiterajo reported on Tuesday.

Unverified information refers to a second attack. A concerning aspect is the increased sophistication of arms being used. As yet unverified an IED was used in the tweeted attack. The black swan is hitting the front screen

— Jasmine Opperman (@Jasminechic00) May 30, 2019