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*

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