Three dead after ferry catches fire, sinks in Tanzania's Southern Highlands

Three people died after a Ro-Pax ferry suffered an onboard fire while transiting Lake Nyasa in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands in the early hours (local time) of Sunday, October 11.

The Mozambican-flagged Chambo was travelling from Tanzania to Mozambique when the blaze ignited. At the time, the vessel was just off Nyasa District in Ruvuma Region.

The Tanzania Times reported that the vessel exploded in flames and subsequently sank.

Nyasa District Commissioner Peresi Magiri said the vessel had 44 passengers consisting of 23 Mozambican, 15 Tanzanian, four Malawian, and two Basotho [people from Lesotho, –ed] nationals. All other passengers were rescued, with local residents and fishermen helping to pull survivors to shore.