Lake ferry death toll rises
Search efforts end as mass burial of many of the 225 drowning victims begins
UKARA ISLAND: Relatives wept on Sunday at the mass burial of many of the 225 people who drowned when a ferry capsized on Lake Victoria.
The overloaded boat tipped over on Thursday as it got to within about 50m of the island’s dock. People carrying their goods from a busy market day prepared to disembark, unbalancing the ferry.
One survivor said he was still searching for his daughter. “My child might have been found, but I have not seen her,” said Magesa Chibuga in Swahili. “I am waiting for this ferry to be lifted from the water so that I can see whether she is there or not. But I am feeling very bad. I thank God I have found my wife, but the child is still missing.”
Chibuga described how he survived when the boat capsized. “I heard people shouting ‘Accident, accident!’ I was seated with my bag. I put it on my chest and then jumped. After I jumped, I found a lifesaver.”
Identifications had been made for 172 people who died in the boat tragedy, said Tanzania’s Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Isack Kamwelwe. The bodies of 37 others had not yet been identified. At least 40 people were rescued, officials said.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, led mourners at the funeral service.
“Our country has been hit by a big tragedy. We lost brothers, relatives and friends. Our call is for us to be united during this hard time and understand that our countrymen have been left by beloved parents, brothers, sisters, children and friends,” he said.
Adla Bakari said she lost her son and neighbours. “This ferry has killed our people. If we tell them not to overload the ferry, they don’t listen to us, just like last Thursday.”
On Saturday, rescuers found a survivor two days after the tragedy. The man was identified as an engineer who had locked himself in the engine room. His condition was unknown.
Search efforts had ended, said Defence Minister Venance Mabeyo, although officials will continue working to identify the dead. However, the total number of deaths may never be known as no one is sure how many people were on the overcrowded ferry, which had a capacity of 101.
President John Magufuli has ordered the arrests of those responsible. The ferry captain has already been detained after leaving the steering to someone who wasn’t properly trained.
“This is a great disaster for our nation,” Magufuli said in a televised address, announcing four days of national mourning.