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| RPC says four bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, with the government providing coffins and covering transportation costs. Photo: Courtesy |
By Adonis Byemelwa
Mwanza-- Rescue teams have recovered seven more bodies from Lake Victoria, bringing the death toll to nine after the MV Sea Falcon cargo boat capsized. The boat, carrying over 30 passengers, was traveling from Kirumba in Mwanza to Goziba Island in Kagera Region when it sank on September 25, around noon, just two kilometers from the Bwiru landing site in Ilemela District, Mwanza.
Deusidedith Ruta, the Acting Fire and Rescue Commander for Mwanza Region, confirmed the recovery of the bodies, all male. "We retrieved seven bodies today, bringing the total to nine. So far, only two of the victims have been identified by their families," Ruta stated.
The bodies have been transferred to Mwanza Regional Referral Hospital (Sekou Toure), and the search for more victims continues, as the exact number of passengers aboard remains unconfirmed. Some bodies were found at the site where the boat sank, while others were recovered along different parts of the Lake Victoria shoreline.
Ruta urged fishermen and local leaders to report any bodies they find floating to the rescue authorities. “We request anyone who suspects their relatives were on the boat to visit Sekou Toure Hospital for identification,” he added.
Joseph Masole, a witness and owner of the landing site where survivors and bodies were being received, said the first report came from a survivor. “The survivor told us there were around 60 people on board and they needed help. I sent out small boats to rescue people while we contacted emergency services for assistance,” Masole said.
Mwanza Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner Wilbroad Mutafungwa, confirmed the arrest of three individuals, including the boat’s owner, Amon Lutabanzibwa. The arrests were made for violating maritime regulations, as the boat was operating without a valid permit from the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC).
“Four bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, with the government providing coffins and covering transportation costs,” Mutafungwa said.
Leticia Mutaki, TASAC’s Director of Regulatory Services, revealed that the boat’s license only permitted it to carry a maximum of five passengers, but more than 30 were on board when the accident occurred. Mutaki urged boat owners and operators to adhere to their licenses' stipulations, stressing the importance of following safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
The MV Sea Falcon, a 17-meter-long vessel, was licensed to carry five passengers and a limited cargo load, but grossly exceeded its capacity at the time of the incident, leading to this tragic outcome.