Commercial Ferry Capsizes off Mozambique Coast, Leaving Eleven Dead, Dozens Missing, Rescue Boats Searching

Maputo, Mozambique— A commercial ferry capsized off the coast of northern Mozambique Thursday, killing at least 11 people and leaving dozens missing as overloaded passengers were thrown into rough seas.

The sinking happened around 1 p.m. local time near the island of Mozambique in Nampula province, according to maritime authorities and Agence France-Presse. The wooden-hulled ferry, carrying more than 80 passengers and cargo well beyond its licensed capacity, was heading from the mainland to the island when it was hit by a swell and listed sharply. Water poured in through an open cargo door.

Eleven bodies were recovered by late afternoon, including three children, the provincial government said. At least 25 people were rescued by fishing boats that raced to the scene. More than 30 others were listed as missing, with rescue crews continuing to search as night fell. The navy said it had deployed two patrol boats and a helicopter.

"The boat was too low in the water, overloaded with sacks and people on top," a survivor told AFP from a hospital bed. "When the wave hit, everyone ran to one side and it flipped. People were trapped under."

Ferry accidents are frequent along Mozambique's 2,500-kilometer coastline, where aging, poorly maintained vessels operate with little oversight. Operators routinely exceed capacity to maximize profit on routes where island communities have no alternative. Life jackets were reportedly scarce, and most passengers could not swim.

The maritime authority said the ferry had been warned twice this year for overloading but was allowed to continue operating after paying fines. Inspectors had not boarded the vessel Thursday before departure. The transport ministry said it would open an inquiry and suspend the owner's license pending investigation.

Families gathered at the port in Mossuril, waiting for news as bodies were brought ashore wrapped in cloth. Many were traders who commute daily between the island and mainland markets. The loss of cargo — bags of rice, cement, and fuel — adds to the economic blow.

The sea was still rough Thursday evening, with two-meter swells hampering search efforts. Fishermen said they would continue searching through the night using lamps, despite the danger.

The ferry's overturned hull was still visible, half-submerged, drifting with the tide.

Rescue teams had not yet found the manifest, which would show how many were truly on board.