Authorities indicated that excess cargo, associated with bad weather, was the cause of the accident.
With 19 people on board, the vessel was sailing from the commune of Lucira to Bonfim beach, according to Álvaro Simão, from the port captaincy of Namibe. Ten of the occupants were rescued alive.
"The reasons for this sinking, it is assumed that was the excess cargo, added to the bad weather that was recorded at the time. They were not accompanied by life jackets and they are not sailors either", said Álvaro Simão in statements to Public Television of Angola (TPA).
In addition to the 19 people, the vessel was carrying fuel, water and equipment.
A multisectoral delegation, which includes members of the Namibe port captaincy, firefighters, border police and maritime inspection, mobilized resources to search and rescue the three missing people.
The administrator of the Lucira commune, Marília Inácio, said that support is being provided to families, highlighting that in 2023 training will be given to fishermen on maritime safety, and swimming training is planned.
"Because, due to the migratory flow and the search for employment, we have indicators that most of these fishermen leave Huíla, Chibia and Matala", she said.
According to data from the Lucira maritime delegation, four accidents were recorded last year resulting in 14 deaths, mainly due to non-compliance with maritime regulations.
