Biodun.BBC: BREAKING: Lake Victoria, Tanzania: Dozens drown in ferry capsize

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Volunteers work at the scene of a capsizing in Tanzania — Image captionVolunteers have been helping rescue efforts

by Natalie Duval and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Lake Victoria, Tanzania

At least 40 people have died after a ferry carrying hundreds of people capsized on Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

One official told the Reuters news agency the number who drowned could be more than 200. Rescue efforts have been halted until dawn on Friday.

The MV Nyerere ferry overturned near the shore between the islands of Ukora and Bugolora.

It is thought the overloaded vessel toppled over when crowds on board moved to one side as it docked.

Officials have said the ferry was carrying more than 400 passengers. About 100 people were rescued while 32 are said to be in a critical condition.

Exact figures, though, are yet to be confirmed - Reuters said the person who dispensed tickets for the journey also died, with the machine recording the data lost.

"We pray to God to give us hope in such an accident," Regional Commissioner Adam Malima told reporters.

"We pray to God to give us hope that there has not been a high death toll."

Locals joined with emergency teams in rescue efforts on Thursday afternoon.

Tragic history

Tanzania has seen a number of nautical disasters, with overcrowding often playing a role.

In 2012, at least 145 people died when a packed ferry sank while transporting people to the island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.

The year before, almost 200 people died in another major incident off the coast of Zanzibar. Hundreds survived, some found clinging to mattresses and fridges.

In 1996, more than 800 people died when the MV Bukoba capsized on Lake Victoria. It was one of the the worst ferry disasters of the last century.