At least 40 people fleeing extremist violence in northern Mozambique drowned when their boat sank, according to officials and reports in local media.

The boat had set off from Palma, a coastal town near the Tanzanian border, and picked up the majority of its 74 passengers near Namandingo, according to the Mozambican news services, Mediafax and Zitamar News.

The boat hit rocks and sank near Ibo island, said the reports.

At least 32 people were saved, but about 40 people drowned, according to the Portuguese news agency, Lusa. The boat was overloaded as it ordinarily carries about 30 people, reported Lusa.

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