Ferry in Tanzania capsizes, hundreds feared dead

By Sheetal Sukhija, Central Asia Times
21 Sep 2018, 07:32 GMT+10

Hundreds of people are feared missing after a ferry they were on capsized
The ferry capsized on Lake Victoria in north Tanzania
So far, 42 people are confirmed dead, rescue efforts have been suspended until dawn

UKORA, Tanzania - About 42 people were confirmed dead after a ferry capsized on Africa's largest lake - Lake Victoria in north Tanzania.

The incident involving the MV Nyerere ferry occurred on Thursday, leaving the fate of hundreds of people onboard the ferry, unknown.

The ferry, that was reportedly carrying over 400 people, overturned near the shore between the islands of Ukora and Bugolora.

The Tanzanian government said that emergency teams were deployed to rescue those onboard almost immediately after an alert was raised.

Further, reports noted that locals joined in to help the emergency teams in the rescue efforts on Thursday afternoon.

By the end of the day, however, local officials said that 42 people had been confirmed dead, while hundreds of people were feared missing.

Further, government officials said that rescue efforts had been suspended until dawn on Friday.

According to a statement released by the Tanzanian government, the ferry had capsized but exact figures for those on board were not confirmed.

Addressing reporters late on Thursday, Regional Commissioner Adam Malima said, "We pray to God to give us hope in such an accident. We pray to God to give us hope that there has not been a high death toll."

*Developing Story*

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Central Asia Times.

More Information

14 ℃

Tehran

International

Section

Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders picks Muslim to lead campaign

MONTPELIER, Vermont - Soon after announcing he is having another tilt at the presidency, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has named a ...

White House calls ex top FBI official a 'liar and leaker'

NEW YORK, New York - The FBI began an investigation into whether U.S. President Donald Trump was a Russian agent, ...

Police in Western Australia make arrests, seize cash and cocaine

PERTH, Western Australia - An international drug ring operating in the West Australian capital of Perth has been dismantled. In ...

Trump plans to provide 'highly sensitive' nuclear technology to Saudis

WASHINGTON DC - A U.S. Congressional committee is exploring whether the Trump administration is planning to provide Saudi Arabia with ...

UN: Future of millions of children depend on peace agreement

The peace agreement signed by 15 warring parties in the Central African Republic has been hailed by the UN Children’s ...

U.S. president reaffirms all options open on Venezuela

WASHINGTON DC - U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the Venezuelan military to abandon their president, and to throw ...

Asia

Section

Movie Review

My Little Pony: The Movie

Featured story

Ireland's Keywords Studios acquires Canada's Snowed In

DUBLIN, Ireland - Following its successful acquisition of Hollywood-based Blindlight, Irish video-gaming company Keywords Studios has now announced its latest accomplishment. Keywords r ...