Ethiopians found dead in truck in Mozambique

The bodies of 64 male migrants were discovered Tuesday in a sealed shipping container at a checkpoint in Tete, Mozambique, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM). In a statement released Tuesday night, IOM confirmed that 14 survivors were rescued by local authorities and are being treated at a local hospital. 

The survivors told local authorities that they were Ethiopians headed to South Africa. The truck driver and his assistant, both Mozambicans, were arrested, provincial immigration spokesman Amelia Direito told AFP. She said the driver told police he had been promised 30,000 meticais (about $500, 460 euros) to transport the men.

Police have launched a manhunt for "the intermediary who facilitated the illegal entry of the Ethiopians into the country," Direito added. Temperatures in Tete have been above 90 degrees Fahrenheit this week. None of the men were carrying identification, and IOM is working to provide assistance to the survivors. South Africa is home to more than 4 million migrants and close to 300,000 asylum seekers and refugees according to the latest U.N. statistics.

Ethiopian Prime Minster Dr Abiy Ahmed posted on Twitter saying “I learned with a heavy heart of the deaths of many enroute to Mozambique from Malawi. Ethiopians may also have been among the dead. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia is closely working with the relevant authorities to find out the identities and other details of the deceased. Rest In Peace.