Tanzania: 12 killed in vessel accident

(SomaliNet) In a tragic accident that occurred on Lake Rukwa on Friday, twelve people, including three small children were killed, a source said Tuesday.

Suleiman Kova, Mbeya Regional Police commander confirmed the incident.

The boat capsized close to Mbangala Village in Chunya District, he said.

The vessel, christened Butterfly, overturned as it was approaching the Nkungu fishing camp at Ichese, Mbangala Village, leaving many families in tears, Kova said.

”Three dead bodies of children have been recovered and nine other bodies are yet to be found,”Kova said.

The deceased children were identified as Johari Salum (3), Raphael Gasper (3) and Solomon Gasper (seven months old), all from the same family.

Family members collected the bodies for burial after a postmortem that was conducted at Mwambani District Hospital Designate in Chunya. A total of 34 people survived the accident.

He named missing passengers as Ibrahim Kibonde, Salum�Hassan, Asha Salum, Matheo�Kidini, Silia Gasper and one by a single name Fupi.

Names of three other casualties were not immediately established.
He said the locally-made boat had a 15 horsepower engine and was not officially registered.

The cause of the accident could be overloading. There was an unspecified number of passengers, in addition to personal belongings such 25 bags of salt, six bags of fish and 20 canoes, according to eyewitnesses.

”Strong waves made the boat sway. Water came in and it capsized. We are grateful to the fishermen who happened to be around for saving our lives,” said one of the survivors, a resident of Nkungu village.

Members of the Chunya District Security and Defence Committee, including District Commissioner Fatuma Kimario and District Crime Investigation Officer Emmanuel Kabwogi, rushed to the scene of accident to join rescue operations.

The ill-fated boat was recovered but was found empty.-Guardian