64 migrants die in container in northern Mozambique: report

MAPUTO - At least 64 migrants from Ethiopia died and another 14 survived in a container transported in Mozambique's northern province of Tete, reported the local newspaper O Pais.

The provincial director of health Carla Mosse told the newspaper that the dead bodies and survivors were found by the immigration service early Tuesday in the district of Moatize, in the city of Tete.

Speaking to Xinhua by phone, the official also confirmed the incident, saying that the provincial directorate of migration will reinforce border security measures and prevent similar incidents from happening.

The newspaper also cited Amelia Direito, an official of the immigration service as saying that her colleagues stopped the truck that was transporting the container with the victims at around 2:00 am.

Direito said the health and justice sectors are working in coordination to clarify the case, and the 14 survivors will be screened for COVID-19, then quarantined.

Autopsy was said to be performed to investigate the tragedy and seek further evidence behind the deaths.

The truck driver is reportedly a Mozambican, and the vehicle illegally entered Mozambique from Malawi, the newspaper reported.