– Number of deaths increase more than 50% in comparison with the previous year
– Poor presence of maritime inspectors one of the main causes of accidents
By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Mozambique recorded 319 deaths caused by accidents at sea last year, which was an increase of more than 50% in comparison with 2023, when 211 deaths were registered.
The main incidents were drownings with 132 cases, followed by shipwrecks (76) and attacks by animals (39). The data were announced on Monday in Maputo, by the National Institute of the Sea (INAMAR).
In addition to the deaths, in the 271 maritime incidents registered in 2024, there were also 17 injuries, 83 people went missing and there were 383 survivors.
In comparison with 2023, the total number of accidents recorded declined slightly, falling from 287 to 271 cases.
The INAMAR spokesperson pointed to the lack of safety equipment on the boats as one of the main risk factors. According to INAMAR, the boats should be equipped with all the safety devices necessary, including life jackets, buoys and fire extinguishers, in addition to a valid navigability certificate.
“We have witnessed situations in which the captains of the boats themselves do not possess the required certificate of competence”, he said, adding that a plan is under way to introduce breathalysers for sailors, as a method of control and reducing the number of tragedies.
Poor maritime inspection remains one of the main causes of accidents at sea, or on lakes and rivers. In a country with a coastline that is over 2.700 kilometres long, many people use the sea, the rivers and the lakes for fishing or for travel between various points, often in inadequate or overcrowded boats. The lack of a sufficient number of inspectors prevents effective regulation of maritime, river and lake transport.
Sofala province recorded the largest number of drownings, with 29 cases, while Zambézia had the largest number of shipwrecks (26) and of attacks by animals (14), mostly attacks by crocodiles and hippopotamus. (NM)
