MAPUTO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has sent a delegation to assist the victims and take measures to minimize the impact of a tragic shipwreck that left around 100 people dead Sunday in the country's northern offshore waters.
The head of state also instructed provincial authorities at various levels to mobilize rescue teams and analyze the situation, according to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic late Monday.
"In light of this information, the Head of State, in the early hours of today, sent a government delegation, led by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mateus Magala, to provide help to the survivors, as well as for the investigation, in order to assess the causes behind this tragedy," read the statement.
At least 55 children and 32 women are reported to have died in the shipwreck.
Mateus Magala told the local media Monday that the shipwreck led the government to deeply reflect on the control of maritime transportation.
The presidents of Angola Joao Lourenco, Portugal's Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa sent their condolences to President Nyusi for the tragic accident.
"The South African people are deeply saddened by this tragedy and wish success in the search efforts for the missing people," said Ramaphosa in his message of condolence.
"This is a moment of deep sadness, and the people of Angola express their solidarity for the tragedy," said Angolan President Lourenco. ■