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UKARA, Tanzania (Reuters) – Various divers rescued a man on Saturday while they were looking for survivors on the wreck of an overcrowded Tanzanian ferry that capsized Thursday on Lake Victoria, killing at least 166 people.
Rescuers seek to recover bodies of water after a ferry has spilled off the coast of Ukerewe Island, on Lake Victoria, Tanzania, on September 21, 2018. REUTERS / Stringer
Four Navy divers resumed the search operation inside the MV Nyerere sunk early Saturday after hearing sounds that suggested signs of life.
Shortly after, they took a man out of the overturned ship and were transported to the hospital, a Reuters witness said, as the bodies continued to float on the surface of the ship.
His condition was not immediately known.
Minister of Works, Transport and Communications Isack Kamwelwe said the number of people retrieved had increased to 166, adding that the government was sending sophisticated equipment to help with the rescue.
"This equipment will increase the effectiveness of the rescue operation and we will continue the search until we are convinced that we have saved everyone," he told reporters. Reuters.
The relatives of the deceased had begun to identify the bodies of their loved ones, he said.
The ferry sank Thursday night just meters from the Ukerewe wharf, the largest island on the lake. According to first estimates, there were more than 300 people on board.
On Friday, President John Magufuli ordered the arrest of those responsible for the sinking.
Additional report by Nuzulack Dausen; Written by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by John Stonestreet and Helen Popper
