Death toll of Lake Victoria Tragedy now at 30

 

It’s a sad reality as the death toll for the tragic accident at Mpatta Sub-county in Mukono District, Uganda that saw a boat in Lake Victoria capsize is now at 30.

Ugandan police have so far established that the cruise boat was overloaded with revellers.

“We expect (the number of passengers) is beyond the capacity of the boat. It was overloaded and unfortunately people were drunk. We suspect the mechanical condition of the boat and the weather contributed to the sinking,” said Asuman Mugenyi, Director of Operations for the Uganda police.

 

 

Bad weather has also been named as a factor that may have caused the boat to capsize.

“A big storm hit,” said local government official Richard Kikongo. “It can be fine on land but bad weather on the lake,” he added.

The Uganda People’s Defence Force and the Uganda Police Force marine units [are continuing with the] search and rescue mission for survivors and those who perished in the boat cruise from KK beach.

 

According to Mr. Kikongo, some of the first responders were among those who perished.

“Fishermen on two small boats could see that the boat was sinking and went to help. People tried to jump onto the boats but they were too many and those sunk. The rescuers died too,” he said.

A man identified as Derrick Owekyo, a resident of Mpatta Island in Mukono, died while helping the search and rescue teams.

 

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Reports further say that the boat had been grounded for months before it was taken back to the waters when the owners got the deal.

Among those rescued include Prince David Wasajja, brother of Buganda King Ronald Mutebi, singer Iryn Namubiru and city businessman John Fredrick Kiyimba, commonly known as Freeman.

It’s now a waiting game for the relatives who still don’t know the whereabouts of their family members. A quiet and sombre mood has engulfed Mutiima beach as relatives and friends wait for news of their loved ones.

Witnesses say that there are occasional screams and cries when a body is pulled from the water.

 

 

The bodies of the victims have been taken to the Kampala City Mortuary as rescue efforts continue.

It’s almost 24 hours after the ill-fated boat capsized. Do you think there are hopes of getting any more survivors?

 

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