Tractor falls into Matola River: three injured and fears of trapped victims

A tractor provided by the Matola district government to facilitate the mobility of the population between Malhapswene and Mulotana fell into the Matola River bed last night. The accident occurred around 7:45 pm at the site of a recent construction project.

According to sources at the scene, the immediate causes of the accident are related to the extremely poor visibility, since the area lacks public lighting, and to the slippery pavement. This last factor was aggravated by the strong current and the enormous volume of water in the river, a consequence of the recent rainy season.

The tractor was making its regular journey between Malhapswene and Mulotana when the incident occurred. So far, at least three people have been confirmed injured, but there are fears that people may be trapped in the rubble or swept away by the current, which is making it difficult to determine the final outcome of the operation.

This event is taking place at the same location where, just yesterday, the governor of Matola, Manuel Simão Tule, was present to assess and guide the work being carried out there. The governor's visit was precisely to supervise the intervention which, ironically, aimed to improve the safety and accessibility of the population.

Rescue operations continue at the site, with teams working in difficult conditions due to the river's flow and lack of light. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing the causes of the accident or the potential responsibility of the construction company for the road surface conditions. The population eagerly awaits further information and clarification on the measures that will be taken to prevent future incidents at the site.