Three Indians Dead-five Missing After Boat Capsizes Near Mozambique’s Beira Port
Beira, Mozambique / New Delhi, October 18 — A tragic maritime accident off the coast of central Mozambique has left three Indian nationals dead and five others missing after a crew transfer boat capsized near Beira port. The Indian High Commission confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying efforts were underway in coordination with local authorities to locate the missing crew members.
According to the High Commission, the small launch boat was ferrying 14 Indian nationals when it overturned during what officials described as a routine crew transfer operation between the shore and a tanker anchored offshore. The circumstances surrounding the capsize remain unclear, but local reports suggest that the boat may have encountered rough sea conditions while navigating the coastal waters near Beira, one of Mozambique’s busiest ports.
In an official statement, the Indian High Commission in Maputo said: “A launch boat carrying crew members of a tanker, including 14 Indian nationals, capsized during crew transfer operations off Beira port. Some Indian nationals have been rescued. Unfortunately, some have died and others remain unaccounted for.”
The Mission expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and confirmed that it was in close contact with the affected families and Mozambican authorities. “We convey our heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives, including of three Indian nationals, in a boat accident off Beira port,” the High Commission posted on X (formerly Twitter). It added that every effort was being made to support the survivors and locate those missing.
Local maritime authorities, along with search and rescue teams, launched immediate operations following the incident. Divers and coastal patrol units have been deployed in the area to scour the waters, which are known for unpredictable weather and strong currents during this time of year. Officials said that some survivors were rescued shortly after the boat capsized and were being treated for shock and minor injuries.
The identities of the deceased and missing Indian nationals have not yet been released publicly as authorities continue to notify their families. The High Commission noted that it was “actively coordinating with Mozambican authorities and the concerned shipping company to ensure all possible assistance.”
Beira, located along Mozambique’s central coastline, serves as a key maritime hub for the region and is frequented by vessels transporting cargo to and from Southern Africa. Crew transfer operations — often carried out by small boats known as launches — are common in ports where larger vessels remain anchored offshore due to draft restrictions or port congestion.
Maritime safety experts have often warned that such transfers can be hazardous if carried out in poor weather, without proper equipment, or when small boats are overloaded. While the exact cause of the Beira accident remains under investigation, initial reports indicate that the sea state may have deteriorated rapidly during the transfer, possibly catching the launch and its passengers off guard.
An official familiar with the incident said, “These launch boats usually make short trips between the port and ships anchored in deeper waters. Even so, they can face risks from waves, currents, or sudden weather changes. It’s too early to say exactly what went wrong, but an inquiry will certainly follow.”
The Indian High Commission assured that it was “closely monitoring the situation” and remained in constant touch with Mozambican maritime and port authorities overseeing the ongoing rescue efforts. “Search and rescue efforts are underway. The Mission is coordinating with local authorities regarding the missing five Indians,” it said in another update on X.
As of late Saturday evening, rescue teams were continuing their search operations in and around the Beira channel. The incident has raised fresh concerns about crew safety procedures in offshore operations across African ports, where many Indian seafarers work in merchant shipping, logistics, and offshore support roles.
India has one of the world’s largest pools of maritime professionals, and its seafarers are employed across global fleets. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi is expected to issue a statement once more details are available, including updates on the search for the five missing nationals.
Meanwhile, messages of condolence have begun pouring in from India’s maritime community, expressing solidarity with the affected families. The tragedy off Beira serves as another reminder of the perils faced by seafarers and maritime workers operating in challenging environments far from home.
As rescue efforts continue, the Indian government and Mozambican authorities remain committed to ensuring that all possible assistance is extended to the victims and their families, while a thorough investigation seeks to determine the exact cause of the accident that claimed three Indian lives and left five others missing.
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