More than 90 people died when an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique on Sunday.
The converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province.
"Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers it ended up sinking. There are 91 people who lost their lives," said Nampula's secretary of state Jaime Neto, AFP reported.
Many children were among the victims, he added.
Rescuers had found five survivors and were searching for more, but sea conditions were making the operation difficult.
Most passengers were trying to escape the mainland because of a panic caused by disinformation about cholera, Neto said.
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