At least 16 people were killed when a landslide struck a boat on the Tsiribihina River in western Madagascar, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The tragic incident occurred late Tuesday night when the boat, which was traveling between the towns of Belo sur Tsiribihina and Ankalalaobe in the Menabe region, made a brief stop at a local port.
While docked, a sudden landslide hit the area, causing widespread devastation. Sixteen passengers were killed instantly, while ten others were fortunate to survive without injury. The boat, carrying a total of 26 people, was caught off guard by the disaster, and rescue operations were launched swiftly by local authorities.
The Madagascan Maritime, Port, and River Agency reported the details of the incident, expressing condolences for the victims. The agency is investigating the cause of the landslide, which struck with little warning, highlighting the vulnerability of local communities to natural disasters in the region.
