Latest Indian Ocean News

A tropical cyclone makes landfall in northern Madagascar, killing 18 people

Mar. 29, 2024 10:53 AM EDT

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — A tropical cyclone that swept across Madagascar has killed 18 people and left four missing after making landfall on the north of the Indian Ocean island nation earlier this week, authorities said on Friday. The storm has also caused severe flooding...

SpaceX comes close to completing test flight of mega rocket but loses spacecraft near end

Mar. 14, 2024 20:58 PM EDT

SpaceX came close to completing an hourlong test flight of its mega rocket on its third try Thursday, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth. The company said it lost contact with Starship as it neared its goal, a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The first-stage...

MH370 disappeared a decade ago. Here's what we know about one of aviation's biggest mysteries

Mar. 05, 2024 23:38 PM EST

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A decade ago on March 8, a Malaysia Airlines flight vanished without a trace, becoming one of aviation’s biggest mysteries. Investigators still do not know exactly what happened to the plane and its 239 passengers. But Malaysia’s government said...

Malaysia may renew the search for MH370 a decade after the flight disappeared

Mar. 04, 2024 01:31 AM EST

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian officials said Sunday they may renew the hunt for MH370, after a U.S. company that tried to find the plane in 2018 proposed a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean where the Malaysia Airlines plane is believed to have crashed a decade ago. ...

Madagascar law allowing castration of child rapists prompts criticism from rights groups

Feb. 11, 2024 14:04 PM EST

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Madagascar's Parliament has passed a law allowing for the chemical and, in some cases, surgical castration of those found guilty of the rape of a minor. The law has prompted criticism from international rights groups, but also found support from activists who say...

1 dead, at least 6 injured in post-election unrest in the Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros

Jan. 18, 2024 14:39 PM EST

MORONI, Comoros (AP) — A second day of unrest in the Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros on Thursday left one person dead and at least six others injured, a health official said. The protests came after incumbent President Azali Assoumani was declared the winner in an election...

Cyclone causes heavy flooding, 1 death in Mauritius after also battering French island of Reunion

Jan. 15, 2024 19:59 PM EST

SAINT-PAUL, Reunion (AP) — A tropical cyclone caused heavy flooding and at least one death in Mauritius on Monday as cars were washed away by surges of water in the Indian Ocean island's capital city and elsewhere. A motorcyclist died in an accident caused by the flooding, the government said and...

Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros votes for president in Africa's first election of 2024

Jan. 14, 2024 07:13 AM EST

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros voted Sunday for president in Africa's first national election of 2024. Incumbent President Azali Assoumani, a former military officer, is expected to win a fourth term despite criticism he has become...