The number of capsized ferry deaths in Tanzania reaches 224 as burials begin

UKARA ISLAND, Tanzania – On Sunday, parents cried during the burial in Tanzania of many of the 224 people who drowned a ferry capsized on Lake Victoria. Caskets painted in bright colors were lined up to go to the tombs of Ukara Island. Family members in mourning place wreaths on coffins.

The overloaded boat rocked Thursday at about 55 meters from the island's wharf. People carrying their goods from a busy market day prepared to disembark, unbalancing the ferry that returned. Horrified fishermen and others watched from the shore.

One survivor said that he was still looking for his daughter.

"My child may have been found, but I have not seen it," said Magesa Chibuga, in Swahili. "So I'm waiting for this ferry to come out of the water to see if it's there or not, but I feel very bad, I thank God for finding my wife, but the child is still missing, so God has all the plans. "

Chibuga described how he survived when the boat capsized.

"I heard people screaming:" Accident, crash! "I was sitting with my bag, I put it on my chest, took off my phone and put it in my bag, and then jumped. After jumping, I found a lifebuoy, I grabbed it and that's how I escaped.

Identifications were made for 172 people who died in the tragedy of the boat, said Tanzanian Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Isack Kamwelwe. The bodies of 37 others have not yet been identified, he told the broadcaster. At least 40 people were rescued, officials said.

One of the survivors, identified only as Janet, stated that she was sitting with others before the boat rolled over. "I remember that I was sitting on corn sacks with my sister and other passengers, the next thing I knew was in the water," she told BBC News.

Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa led the mourners at the funeral.

"Our country has been struck by a great tragedy, we have lost brothers, relatives and friends, our call is for us to be united during this difficult time and understand that our compatriots have been left behind by their parents, brothers, sisters, beloved children and friends in this great tragedy, "he said. "So we must console them instead of feeding them with bad words, let the government and the competent authorities do their job."

Adla Bakari said she lost her son and neighbors.

"We come for the funeral," said Bakari. "This ferry has killed our people and if we tell them not to overload the ferry, they will not listen to us, like last Thursday, we urge the government to take care of us, otherwise we will be done like this."

On Saturday, rescuers found a survivor two days after the tragedy. The man was identified as a ferry engineer who had locked himself in the engine room. Video footage showed that the man, barefoot and fishy, ​​was quickly transported to a busy street by medical and military personnel while a mermaid lamented. His condition was not immediately known.

No other survivor would likely be found and the search ended, Defense Minister Venance Mabeyo said on the scene. He said officials would continue to work to identify the dead. However, the total number of deaths may never be known because no one knows how many people were on the overcrowded ferry, whose capacity was estimated at 101 according to officials.

President John Magufuli ordered the arrest of those responsible. He said the ferry's captain had already been arrested after leaving the management to someone who had not been properly trained, The Citizen reported.

"It's a big disaster for our nation," Magufuli told the nation in a televised speech announcing four days of national mourning.