More than 90 people died after a ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, the BBC said, citing domestic authorities, with five rescued from among the nearly 130 believed to have been on board.
They were fleeing a cholera outbreak, the broadcaster said on Sunday, citing Jaime Neto, secretary of state for the province of Nampula near the incident site.
"Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers, it ended up sinking," he said, adding that many children were among the dead.
Government officials did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
The boat was travelling from Lunga in the province to Mozambique island, off the coast of Nampula, the British Broacasting Corp added.

Netanyahu orders deeper Israeli incursion into Lebanon
Blast in Myanmar village reportedly kills 55 and injures dozens more
US military says it turned away blockade runner trying to reach Iranian port
Two hundred hurt in post-game violence as Paris hails second Champions League triumph
Illegal mine collapses in China, killing five just days after Shanxi disaster
