Mozambique: Burundian dies in trying to cross the Nicutha, outskirts of Nampula city – Ikweli

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Burundian dies in trying to cross the Nicutha, outskirts of Nampula city – Ikweli

8:08 CAT | 10 Jan 2023

Photo: Ikweli

A 42-year-old Burundian man was swept to his death on Wednesday evening (04-01) by the swollen waters of the Nicutha river, which bisects the Murrapaniua neighbourhood in Natikiri administrative post on the outskirts of Nampula.

Rains falling since the end of December have increased the flow of the Nicutha river, making it difficult to cross.

The victim, known as Padre [‘Priest’], tried unsuccessfully with a friend to cross the Nicutha in the Terrene A neighbourhood on a motorcycle that was also dragged a distance of about one kilometre and found hours later on the other bank of the river, according to witnesses who tried to help the deceased.

Information advanced at the scene suggested that the victim might have taken alcohol, which would explain why he decided to cross the river despite the increased flow. As he was dragged away, he held onto his motorcycle and refused to let go despite his would-be rescuer’s pleas.

“That brother of ours was with his friend when they were trying to cross the river on a motorcycle,” said Carenta Francisco, a friend of the deceased. “After entering the water they were being dragged off, and this one who lost his life held on to the motorbike, having been advised by his friend to let go and get out of the water. But it was too late. He and the motorcycle were swept away. We found him lifeless this morning [Thursday]. The motorcycle was recovered only yesterday.”

People returned to look for their friend on the banks of the river this Thursday morning, Francisco says, until his lifeless body was found.

“Many people are dragged into this particular watercourse,” says Terrene A neighbourhood secretary Abdul Nimaha. “During the rainy season, there are several drownings here. This is the second this rainy season. The first occurred the last day of November of last year – a minor. There isn’t much we can do except warn people to take care crossing the river. We run a lot of risks.”

Residents are begging the municipality, headed by Mayor Paulo Vahanle, to set up a safe crossing point to avoid further loss of life.

The Nicutha separates several residential areas from the larger Murrapaniua in Natikiri administrative post, and also from schools such as the recently opened Terrene Primary School and Murrapaniua Secondary School, whose pupils often have to make a dangerous crossing in order to attend.

Source: Jornal Ikweli