A shipwreck that took place off the Madagascar coast this week has claimed the lives of 85 people, maritime officials reportedly mentioned on Thursday, on retrieving another set of 21 bodies a day prior.
Maritime authorities reported that 138 individuals were on the boat that was loaded with cargo that sunk on Monday 20 Dec. They added that 50 could be rescued.
Out of the total death count, 5 were children.
The wooden cargo boat unauthorized to onboard passengers set sail for Soanierana-Ivongo from village of Antseraka, almost 100 kilometers toward the south.
Initial investigations suggested the vessel’s engine had a “technical problem”, according to Adrien Fabrice Ratsimbazafy of the River and Maritime Port Agency (APMF).
