The Francia freighter sank off the coast of Madagascar. There were illegal passengers on board. There were at least 17 victims of the incident.
The tragedy happened near the northeastern coast of Madagascar. This edition reports with reference to the Agency of Sea and River Ports.
The cargo ship Francia left the town of Antanambe in the eastern region of Mananara-Nord and was heading toward the port of Suanyerana-Ivongo. There were 130 illegal passengers aboard the ship.
The ship sank off the coast of Madagascar. It was probably caused by damage to the ship’s hull.
As a result, at least 17 people died and 45 were rescued. In addition, 68 people are missing. The rescue operation is now continuing.
Jean Edmond Randrianantenana, director general of the Sea and River Ports Agency, noted that the ship was registered as a cargo ship. Therefore, it had no right to carry passengers. Moreover, Antanambe is not an official port.
