Reports from Tanzania indicate that the ill fated ferry that Sank in Lake Victoria on Thursday had 100-passenger capacity but ended up ferrying more than 300 people, three times its capacity.
“There were more than a hundred passengers on board when the ferry sank. It is feared that a significant number have lost their lives,” said George Nyamaha, head of Ukerewe District Council.
Besides people, the ferry was spoilt for choice on which cargo to carry and, like passengers, it ended up ferrying more than its capacity. Among the cargo were bags of cement and sacks of maize, stock that some of the traders had bought in Bugorora.
The ferry, with a 25-tonne cargo capacity and space for three small vehicles, also left with a lorry loaded with cereals. The vessel took off well although sources say the weather was quite turbulent and lake waters were rough.
There was no incident reported to the operator, Tanzania’s Electrical and Mechanical Services Agency (Temesa), in the course of journey, officials say.