The death toll from the sinking of an “unregistered” boat off northwestern Madagascar at the weekend has risen to 34, an official said Tuesday.
“In total, 11 lifeless bodies were found on Tuesday during the (search) operation, bringing the number of death to 34.
“The number of passengers on the boat was 58, comprising 24 survivors and 34 dead,” said Mamy Thierry Randrianarivony, Director of Sea Operations of the Port, Maritime and River Agency (APMF).
The authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident.
The boat bound for the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte sank on Saturday night in the seas off Ankazomborona in northwestern Madagascar.
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On Monday, the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology said the boat was carrying 47 passengers.
The APMF has rolled out measures to avoid such accidents.
These include strengthening the monitoring of standards required for the manufacturing and maintenance of maritime craft.
It will also monitor the professionalisation of marine mechanics, said Randrianarivony. (Xinhua)
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