At dusk on Sunday (7), a fishing boat sank and caused 98 deaths on Quissanga beach, on the island of Mozambique. The boat was carrying 130 people from the town of Lunga to Ilha de Moçambique. An outbreak of cholera was the primary cause of the boat's overcrowding.

This version was even echoed by the spokesman for the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Filimão Suaze. In a way, the press had already been spreading this supposed version of the real reasons. Misinformation and misinterpretation of the disease were blamed. The question here is how the community understands the spread of diseases to the point of mass displacement.

The reasons why the survivors fled are not clear, but the government, on the margins of the tragedy, "denies" the version that the population was fleeing cholera.

Quoted today by Newsthe Mossuril district administrator, offered a seemingly plausible justification. He said that movement between Lunga and Ilha de Moçambique was normal, given that the two regions had been trading for several years. According to Alfredo Machaieie, there are people who live in both areas.

He said that the people on the boat were not fleeing cholera. Some were in Lunga for family reasons and others for business, including fishing.

According to Alfredo Machaieie, the health service in that region has not registered any cases of cholera, vomiting or diarrhea.

That said, Mr. Government, what plausible justification is there?