Luanda: The search for additional victims from a boat sinking incident that occurred last Saturday off Luanda Island has officially concluded as of 6 pm on Tuesday, according to Wilson Baptista, the spokesman for the Civil Protection and Fire Services (SPCB). Baptista informed the press that no further requests or reports of missing persons have been received, justifying the end of the three-day search operation.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the search was conducted by a multisectoral maritime surveillance group, which included entities such as the Maritime Fiscal Police, the Captaincy of the Port of Luanda, and the Angolan Navy, among others. This collaborative effort also involved civilian divers from the local area who assisted the search teams.
Baptista addressed rumors circulated by fishermen on Cape Island about the discovery of bodies linked to the shipwreck. He clarified that a contingent was dispatched to investigate these claims, but no evidence of such bodies was found at sea.
He also
noted the potential for bodies unrelated to Saturday’s incident to be found floating in the sea, due to heavy rain in some areas. This could involve individuals swept away by strong currents or those engaged in sea-level activities outside the SPCB’s supervision perimeter.
To address any future incidents, Baptista emphasized that the firefighters’ activities remain ongoing along the shoreline, with lifeguards patrolling authorized bathing beaches.
The tragic shipwreck occurred during an event organized by the Catholic Church. An unplanned boat joined the maritime procession of the Parish of Our Lady of the Island and, due to improper maneuvers, sank with nearly 30 people on board.