At least three people have lost their lives and five others remain missing after a launch boat carrying 14 Indian crew members capsized near the port of Beira in central Mozambique, the Indian High Commission confirmed on Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday during a routine crew transfer operation to a tanker vessel anchored offshore. The exact cause of the capsizing is currently unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
In an official statement, the Indian High Commission said that several of the 14 Indian nationals on board had been rescued, while others tragically perished, and some remain unaccounted for. Five Indian crew members were pulled from the water, with one survivor currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Beira. A consular officer from the Indian Mission has visited the hospitalized individual and is overseeing the provision of all necessary assistance on the ground.
Expressing condolences via social media, the High Commission stated, “We convey our heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives, including those of three Indian nationals, in a boat accident off Beira port. Mission is in contact with families of those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate accident and is extending all possible assistance to them.”
Search and rescue operations are continuing, with local authorities, maritime agencies, and the Indian Mission coordinating efforts to locate the five missing crew members. The High Commission has also shared emergency contact numbers for updates and information related to the ongoing search. Authorities have assured that the situation is being closely monitored and that the Mission remains in regular contact with local officials to facilitate rescue and support operations.
