Africa-Press – Mozambique. A canoe sank after it was attacked by four hippos while crossing the Zambezi River near the village of Sabeta, Tambara district, Manica province, last Friday (01-07).
One person died and two were rescued alive.
The search continues for the other five passengers still missing, but Tambara administrator, Mário Pita Dôa, told Rádio Moçambique that the likelihood of finding them alive was low.
While the rescue work continues, the district government is providing support to the families of the victims.
The district of Tambara issued the following communique on its Facebook page.
“The Government of the District of Tambara in Manica, headed by his Excellency, Administrator Mário Pita Dôa, expressed solidarity on the morning of this Sunday, July 3, 2022, with the families of the victims of the man-animal conflict that took place on the Zambezi River at 1:00 p.m. on July 1st of the current year, in the locality of Ngondonga, village of Sabeta, administrative post of Nhacolo.
“The tragedy resulted in the disappearance of five (5) people, the death of one (1) person and two (2) survivors.
“According to the two survivors, Marita Elias Campira and Maria Denja Dauce, the incident occurred when they were returning from the island (where they had gone to sow beans). Eight (8) people were in the canoe. During the crossing, four (4) hippos attacked the canoe resulting in the sad death of Domingas Ernesto Monteiro and in the disappearance of :
1. Mateus Pensa (father of a family).
2. Inês Lino Nguirande (mother), Jone Maganizo Pacate (son), Pedro Maganizo Pacate (son) and Télio Maganizo Pacate (son), all from the same family.
“Moved by the tragedy, District Chief Executive Mário Pita Dôa comforted the bereaved families, and donated 400kg of flour, 20kg of beans and 4kg of salt.
“‘We were struck by the sad news caused by the four pachyderms (hippopotami), therefore, in my personal name and on behalf of the District Government of Tambara, we sympathise with the bereaved families and offer sincere condolences and wishes for strength in the face of what happened. This gesture symbolises our commitment to serve our boss [the people] at all times,’ Administrator Dôa said.”
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