Rubble litters Mozambique city held by militants

The first broadcast pictures to come out of the recently retaken Mozambican port of Mocímboa da Praia show scenes of total destruction.At the weekend, Mozambican troops, with the support of a force from Rwanda, captured the city in the north of the country from Islamist militants.

Officials say that it will take a long time before normal life can return to the city as the militants destroyed the infrastructure.

This was once a very busy place with a dynamic economy driven by the port as well as fishing and agriculture. But now parts of Mocímboa da Praia have been reduced to rubble.

The images broadcast on state and independent TV channels show burnt-out transport lorries and demolished public buildings.

Banks, bus terminals and the buses were destroyed by fire. Shops, stalls and even people’s homes were not spared. The military is now in full control but says it is too early for people to return.