At least three individuals have lost their lives, and five others are missing following a tragic incident where a launch boat carrying 14 Indian crew members overturned near the Beira port in central Mozambique. The Indian High Commission has confirmed this unfortunate event.
The mishap took place on a routine crew transfer to a tanker vessel that was stationed offshore. The cause of the capsizing remains unclear, prompting an upcoming investigation.
In an official statement, the High Commission disclosed, “A launch boat transporting crew members of a tanker, including 14 Indian citizens, capsized during crew transfer operations off Beira port in central Mozambique. Some of the Indian nationals have been rescued, but sadly, there have been casualties, and a few individuals are still missing.”
Five Indian nationals were successfully retrieved from the water, and one survivor is currently undergoing medical care at a Beira hospital. A consular officer from the Indian Mission has visited the hospitalized survivor and is supervising the assistance efforts locally.
Expressing condolences through social media, the High Commission conveyed, “Our deepest sympathies go out to those who have lost their lives, including three Indian nationals, in a tragic boat incident near Beira port. The Mission is providing support to the families affected by this unfortunate event.”
Ongoing search and rescue operations involve collaborative efforts between local authorities, maritime agencies, and the Indian Mission to locate the missing five individuals. Additionally, the High Commission has shared emergency contact numbers for updates or information regarding the search operations.
The High Commission has affirmed its vigilant monitoring of the situation and continued communication with local authorities.