Images posted on social media of the incident
* Some passengers have been rescued using small boats, while others have died on the vessel
By Ireen Mseteka, Malawi News Agency (MANA) in Likoma
MV Chambo, a Mozambican-owned vessel that also operates on Lake Malawi, has been destroyed by fire and sunk in Tanzania on Sunday morning, reportedly leaving some passengers dead.
According to a report shared on a forum trending as ‘Chambo Chili Kuti’, eyewitness Peter Augustin Kaluzi said the vessel caught fire while heading to Mozambique.
“I am sad to inform you that MV Chambo, has caught fire in the waters of Tanzania while heading to Mozambique,” said Kaluzi. “Some passengers have been rescued using small boats, while others have died on the vessel.”
Authorities are yet to issue a public statement on the what transpired for the vessel to catch fire.
MV Chambo has been a reliable means of transport for islanders, operating every Wednesday between a port in Mozambique and Nkhata-Bay via Likoma and Chizumulu that helped ease lake transport since it started operating in 2013.—Editing by Maravi Express
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