Death toll hits 136 in Tanzania ferry disaster

THE death toll from a ferry that capsized on Africa’s largest lake has risen to 136.

The MV Nyerere may have been carrying as many as 200 passengers – double its capacity – when it overturned on Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Thursday.

Divers continued their search for scores more feared drowned in the disaster.

Witnesses said the ferry sank after passengers rushed to one side to disembark as it approached a pier on Ukara island.

State television cited witnesses saying more than 200 people had boarded the ferry at Bugolora, a market town on the larger Ukerewe island.

The agency that runs Tanzania’s ferry services said it was not known how many had been on board the MV Nyerere. It was also carrying cargo including sacks of maize, bananas and cement.

President John Magufuli said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the disaster. However, the main opposition party accused the government of ‘negligence’.