Bodies of 8 drowned in Lake Victoria recovered
MWANZA: EIGHT bodies have been recovered following a tragic canoe accident on Lake Victoria.
The victims, who were travelling from Kirumba Beach in Ilemela District to Goziba Island in Muleba District, Kagera Region, drowned when their canoe capsized.
Mwanza Regional Police Commander (RPC) Wilbrod Mutafungwa confirmed the recovery of the bodies after a coordinated search effort involving the Police Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) and local fishing stakeholders.
“Following the accident, our team, along with the Fire and Rescue Department and TPDF, continued extensive patrols in the area where the canoe capsized and sank,” said Mr Mutafungwa.
He added that the search teams recovered the first body on Friday, with the remaining seven bodies found on Saturday, all near the site of the accident after being carried by water currents to the lakeshore.
The bodies were initially spotted by police officers on patrol and were subsequently retrieved from the lake. After recovery, all eight bodies were transported to the Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital for preservation and further identification.
Mr Mutafungwa revealed that four bodies have already been identified by their relatives and handed over for burial.
The remaining four bodies, which are yet to be claimed, are still at Sekou Toure Hospital, awaiting identification by their families.
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“We urge residents of Mwanza and nearby areas to visit Sekou Toure Hospital to identify the remaining bodies. Once identified, necessary arrangements for burial will follow,” said Mr Mutafungwa.
The identified victims are Furaha Luhemeja (17), a fisherman from Sengerema District; Kelvin Salvatory Biganama (20), a resident of Migombani, Sengerema District; Rashid Kalala (33), a fisherman from Ibanda Kirumba, Ilemela District and Benene Boaz (57), a fisherman from Bugogwa, Ilemela District.
RPC Mutafungwa also took the opportunity to caution residents who use Lake Victoria for fishing and transport activities.
He emphasised the importance of using registered and licensed vessels to ensure safety and avoid tragedies.
“Using unregistered vessels that are not authorised to carry passengers puts lives at great risk,” he warned.
RPC Mutafungwa also clarified that, following the recovery of the eight bodies, the total number of passengers on the canoe at the time of the accident has been confirmed to be 38, contrary to the initial report of 30.
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the accident and ensure safety protocols are strictly adhered to in future.
