At least 10 dead after overloaded boat sinks in Guinea-Bissau

At least 10 people died after a boat carrying 45 people capsized on Sunday during a storm in the Bijagos archipelago in Guinea-Bissau.

Eighteen people were rescued, while others are still missing as rescue operations continue, eyewitnesses told AFP in Bubaque, the main city of the islands.

According to the police, the victims included a pregnant woman and her baby who are all residents of the same village on the island of Manek and were going to their fields on a nearby island.

“The sea was very hectic and the overloaded canoe had no special options for safety,” a policeman said on condition of anonymity.

“We have tried, as much as possible with the help of fishermen to rescue the victims,” the source said.

Boats are the main means of transportation in this part of Guinea-Bissau. Accidents are frequent here when there are strong winds.

In December 2012, 30 died after a boat sunk between the Bijagos islands and the capital, Bissau caused by a strong wind.