Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

Tanzania: Zanzibar Boat Tragedy Updates

19 July 2012
Photo: EU Navfor
Liferafts from the capsized ferry, MV Skagit, were traced over a wide area.

Reports from Police indicate that 21 bodies out of 31 that were recovered have been identified by their relatives.

Zanzibar Police Spokesperson Mr Mohammed Mhina said that 14 bodies which were identified were children, 15 (women) and two men, noting that the ill-fated boat totally sank at around 9:00 yesterday night.

He said that bodies that went unidentified were placed at Maisara-Zanzibar grounds so as to facilitate easy identification.

Those who survived, according to Police spokesperson were receiving medical treatment at Mnazi Mmoja hospital, Zanzibar.

Meanwhile Sea Gull Manager Mr Omar Hassan Mnkahonje (50) is under police custody in connection with the ill-fated boat. Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Suleiman Kova confirmed the arrest .

"There are number of issues that came to light in connection with the capsized boat, police are therefore are holding the manager of the Sea Gull Company that owns the boat to assist the investigations," Commander Kova said.

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