Death Toll In Tanzania's Ferry Disaster Increases To 225 - Reports

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd September, 2018) The number of victims of a ferry tragedy on Lake Victoria in Tanzania grew to 225 people, local media reported on Sunday, citing John Mongella, the regional commissioner of the Tanzanian region of Mwanza.

On Saturday, 209 people were reported dead after the ferry capsized on Lake Victoria.

According to The Citizen newspaper, the bodies of nine more victims of the accident were found on Saturday night, while on Sunday morning rescuers recovered seven other bodies.

The incident with the ferry occurred on Thursday near Tanzania's Ukara Island when the vessel was on its way from Bugorora.

According to media reports, the ferry was carrying some 400 people, which exceeded its capacity. In addition, the vessel was loaded with commercial goods, in particular, corn, bananas and cement.

The publication reported on Saturday that the surviving passengers of the ferry said that the man behind the wheel spoke on his mobile phone while steering and approached the dock from the wrong side. They added that the ship capsized as a result of a sharp turn.