At Least 96 Die After Overloaded Boat Sinks Off Coast of Mozambique

At least 96 people died and more than a dozen were missing after an overcrowded boat sank off the coast of Mozambique on Sunday, the local authorities said.

The vessel was carrying about 130 people, well above its capacity, Jaime Neto, the secretary of state of Nampula Province, where the disaster took place, said on national television on Monday.

Mr. Neto said the boat was headed to the Island of Mozambique from the town of Lunga. Some people were traveling to the island to attend a fair, he said, while others were fleeing the mainland for fear of being affected by a cholera outbreak.

Since October, the southern African country has recorded almost 15,000 cases of cholera, a waterborne disease, and 32 deaths, according to government data. Nampula Province has been one of the most affected areas.

Mr. Neto said that at least three of the bodies the authorities retrieved were children. He added that 11 people had been rescued, and that children were among those still missing.

Armando Tivane contributed reporting.