Tanzania: Death toll in Lake Victoria tragedy reaches 218
What you need to know:
- The ferry, travelling between the Ukara and Bugolora Islets capsized on Thursday afternoon about 50 metres from the berth as it was about to dock.
Dar es Salaam. The number of people who died in the Lake Victoria MV Nyerere ferry disaster has reached 218.
According to Mwanza Regional Commissioner Mr John Mongela 78 bodies were recovered on Saturday, September 22. he also revealed that 171 bodies have been identified by their relatives.
Mr Mongella, who doubles as the chairman of the defense and security committee, the burial arrangement will be determined tomorrow.
"There are some of the families, which have identified the bodies of their relatives, but there are some, which want the victims to buried in one grave yard," said Mr Maghembe.
As of Friday evening a total of 136 bodies had been recovered, according to the Minister of Transport, Communications, Works, Isaack Kamwelwe.
The ferry, traveling between the Ukara and Bugolora Islets capsized on Thursday afternoon about 50 metres from the berth as it was about to dock.
The state broadcaster, quoting Mr Kamwelwe said the rescue operation is still under way to recover more bodies. Ukerewe District Commissioner Cornel Maghembe told The Citizen on Thursday that the water vessel was overloaded with cargo and passengers.
According to him, the ferry has a capacity of carrying only 100 passengers and 25 tonnes of cargo but it had more than 400 people.
