Cabo Delgado: Sailors kill insurgents after being abducted – Carta de Moçambique

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Cabo Delgado: Sailors kill insurgents after being abducted – Carta de Moçambique

2:47 CAT | 12 May 2021

FILE - Illustrative photo. [File photo: Carta de Moçambique]

It sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster, but witnesses say it did truly happen, just days ago on Makolowe Island, one of the 50 small islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago in Cabo Delgado.

Three sailors, kidnapped by terrorists on the Indian Ocean island, killed their abductors while sailing towards Mocimboa da Praia, headquarters town of the district of the same name.

According to Carta de Moçambique’s sources, a group of six insurgents invaded Makolowe Island, near Macomia district, taking hostage a group of displaced people, fishermen and three sailors, who were awaiting rescue to the city of Pemba.

Sources say that, upon arrival, the insurgents fired shots into the air before selecting a group of 30 people to take to rebel-held Mocímboa da Praia.

Four insurgents were deployed to “escort” the 30 victims on one boat, while two others were ordered into another boat, containing the three sailors and the catch of some local fishermen.

While underway, sources narrate, the sailors decided to escape by deliberately running aground on a coral reef, blaming the low tide. But moments after the vessel re-floated, the sailors pushed the two terrorists into the sea and made off, sailing to the island of Matemo.

According to the Carta sources, the Islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago remain a staging post for resident fleeing terrorist attacks in Palma district. Some people remain on the islands for days awaiting an opportunity to get to Pemba, while others end up falling into the hands of terrorist groups.

Source: Carta de Moçambique