Authorities have blamed disinformation about a cholera outbreak that resulted in the tragic deaths of nearly 100 individuals due to overcrowding that sank a ferry off the coast of Mozambique.
The incident occurred late on Sunday when a converted fishing boat capsized, resulting in the drowning of at least 96 people.
Passengers Panicked Due To Disinformation
Officials reported that disinformation caused panic among passengers who tried to escape the mainland due to false narratives circulating about the disease.
However, authorities did not specify the source of the misinformation; they only mentioned that this was the case.
Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, has experienced previous fatalities due to the deliberate spread of false information related to cholera.
Previous Deaths
In January, misinformation about cholera led to the murder of at least three community leaders and the destruction of 50 houses in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
Conspiracy theories have thrived amid a genuine cholera outbreak, with nearly 15,000 cases and 32 deaths recorded since October, according to government data.
