LUANDA — Six people were killed when an overloaded boat sank Sunday near Ilha do Cabo, in Luanda, Angola’s capital, with dozens still missing, local media reported Monday.
About 30 people were on the boat, which was designed for fishing and not equipped to carry more than 10, and the chances of finding more survivors are “very slim,” the Jornal de Angola quoted Herminio Cazucoto, provincial commander of the Civil Protection and Fire Service, as saying.
Rescue efforts are still ongoing in the shipwreck area, the commander said.
Seven survivors have been rescued so far. Four were taken to health facilities, and three have already been discharged.
Xe Agora Aguenta, an Angolan news site, reported that most of the passengers onboard were members of the same family participating in religious activity.
The Port Authority of Luanda said the boat’s captain was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
In a message on Sunday, Angolan President Joao Lourenco expressed his condolences to the families affected by the shipwreck. He said the authorities are and will remain fully committed to rescuing efforts and mitigating the damage caused by the incident and that a detailed investigation will be conducted to prevent similar tragedies.
XINHUA