224 bodies now recovered from ferry mishap

The toll in the boat mishap in Lake Victoria has continued to mount as Tanzanian government confirmed that 224 bodies had been recovered from the accident that occurred on Thursday.

Transport, Communication and Works minister Isack Kamwele, made the announcement during the burial of nine of the victims of the MV Nyerere tragedy.

He gave the breakdown of the dead, so far, as 126 adult females, 71 adult males, 17 young females and 10 young males.

The initial reports, added Mr Kamwele, indicated that 265 passengers were on board the ill-fated mv Nyerere, against the capacity of 101.

“We thank Ukara Island residents for recuing 40 people immediately after the accident,” he said.

A total of 219 bodies have already been identified and 214 of them collected by family members.

“The government has taken DNA samples of unidentified bodies to enable identification once their relatives resurface,” Disaster Management minister Jinesta Mhagama, said.

Mr Kamwelwe disclosed that a total of $82,000 (TSh190m) had been donated by well-wishers to support the rescue mission.

MV Nyerere was made in 2004 in the country and started operation immediately. It had had two major maintenances; in 2013 and 2015.

In June 2018, the two engines and the gear box were replaced.