Mozambique: 575 killed in accidents between January and August – government

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Mozambique: 575 killed in accidents between January and August – government

2:21 CAT | 10 Sep 2025

File photo: O País

At least 575 people died in traffic accidents in Mozambique between January and August this year, a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024, the government announced on Tuesday, acknowledging “critical challenges” in road safety.

“It is worth noting that from January to August of this year, there were 575 fatalities [due to accidents], compared to 504 in the first eight months of 2024. The same is true of material damage, which is also showing an increasing trend,” said Council of Ministers spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa at the end of an executive meeting in Maputo.

Four hundred and thirty (430) accidents were recorded in the country between January and August 2025, an increase of 20 compared to the same period last year, when 410 were recorded nationwide, according to data presented by the spokesperson for the Council of Ministers.

“What happened in the first eight months of this year only confirms […] that we face critical road safety challenges as a country, with 30.1 deaths from traffic accidents per 100,000 inhabitants, which translates to between 7,000 and 10,000 deaths annually, both directly from traffic accidents and indirectly as a consequence,” said Impissa.

At least 10 people died in two traffic accidents in Maputo province on Monday (08-09), according to government figures released yesterday, with the government pointing to drunk driving as one of the causes.

One of the accidents occurred in the early morning hours in Moamba district, resulting in nine deaths and eight persons injured. The second occurred in the afternoon, between the Matola-Gare and Malhampsene neighbourhoods, involving two heavy vehicles.

Impissa also acknowledged that roads were deficient and called for collective efforts to curb road deaths in the country.

“We are aware that improving our roads is one of the most pressing actions in the context of reducing road accidents. However, on roads like the N4 [National Highway 4], which are in better condition, if not one of the best in the country, situations like yesterday’s [Monday] are also occurring, so it is clear that the fight must be waged on multiple fronts and in a concerted manner,” Impissa concluded.

On August 18, three more traffic accidents killed 35 people and injured 13 others, according to figures released by Mozambican authorities.

Road accident rates in Mozambique are classified as ‘dramatic’, with authorities citing speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol as the main causes.

On April 15, 2025, the Mozambican government approved a Road Safety Action Plan, which provides a series of actions to reduce the number of traffic accidents, including increased enforcement, changes to legislation, interventions at critical points and improved community awareness.