More than 30 killed in Mozambique fires

Fires killed at least 32 people and injured hundreds more in blazes that devoured large swathes of arable land in Mozambique, state media said on Friday.

The fires, which also displaced thousands, ravaged about 16 000ha on Monday and Tuesday in the three central provinces of Manica, Sofala and Zambezia, the daily, Noticias, said.

Sofala provincial governor Alberto Vaquina told the newspaper that 21 people died in his province while 2 085 people had been displaced and more than 722 homes devoured by the fire.

In Manica province, 11 people died while 900 homes were destroyed, the newspaper said.

There was no independent confirmation of the fires.

The government was mobilising resources to assist those affected, the report added.

In several parts of neighbouring South Africa, runaway fires driven by strong winds have killed at least 30 people, including two children, in the past week, media reported.

The dry South African winter—together with strong winds—create ideal conditions for fires to spread.—Sapa-AFP