Tanzania Rescuers Save 40, Recover 134 Dead Bodies After Ferry Capsizes - Minister

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st September, 2018) Emergency services in Tanzania have rescued 40 people and found 134 dead bodies after the MV Nyerere ferry capsized on Lake Victoria, Isack Aloyce Kamwelwe, the minister of works, transport, and communication of Tanzania told Sputnik on Friday.

On Thursday, the MV Nyerere was overturned near Ukara island on its way from Bugorora, with rescuers starting their operations that night. The previous death toll was 126 people.

"We have an accident here in Tanzania. One of our ferries capsized yesterday. The death toll up to now is 134... We have 40 survivors," Kamwelwe said.

Kamwelwe stated that doctors ready to aid survivors and divers were working at the site of the incident.

"We have ambulances, everything; we have divers - all apparatus required to dive. We have doctors with the necessary medicines. We are full, we have everything," Kamwelwe said.

The minister added that the authorities would reveal whether foreign nationals were present on the ferry likely on Sunday.

"Not yet. We are under a very heavy investigation so that we shall issue the statement probably the day after tomorrow. We are still rescuing the dead people, who are not yet found," Kamwelwe said in answer to a question on whether foreign nationals were on board the ferry.

Kamwelwe stated that the person in charge of the ticket machine for the ferry ride had died, and the ticket machine itself has been lost and not initially connected to a computer, so that the definite number of people who had boarded the ferry had not been established.