100 killed as ferry capsizes in Tanzania, many still missing

tanzania-ferry-reuters Rescue workers examine the hull of a ferry that overturned in Lake Victoria, Tanzania | Reuters

A ferry capsized on Lake Victoria in Tanzania killing at least 100 people, officials said. There are fears that more than 200 people have died as many are still missing. Rescue and recovery efforts have resumed after being halted at nightfall.

The ferry was said to be overcrowded and reportedly tipped over when people moved to one side as it docked. It was on its way to Ukara island from Bugorora. It was a crowded as it was market day in Bugorora. The islands are close to Tanzania's second-largest city of Mwanza.

According to officials the vessel was carrying more than 400 passengers while its actual capacity is 100. Thirty-seven people had been rescued from the sea, Jonathan Shana, the regional police commander for the port of Mwanza on the south coast of the lake said. He said more rescuers had joined the operation when it resumed at daylight on Friday.

The precise number of those aboard the ferry when it capsized was hard to establish since crew and equipment had been lost, officials said on Thursday.

Tanzania has been hit by several major ferry disasters over the years. At least 500 people were killed when a ferry capsized in Lake Victoria in 1996.

In 2012, 145 people died when a ferry sank off the shore of Tanzania's Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar.