Uganda Boat Accident: Death toll rises to 32, expected to grow

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02:20

The number of fatalities from Saturday's Lake Victoria boat accident in Uganda has risen to 32. Authorities say the figure is likely to go up because it's estimated that over 100 people were on board the vessel. CGTN's HILLARY AYESIGA reports.

A sombre mood hangs over Mutima Haven Beach in Mukono, Central Uganda. Relatives are eager to hear the news about their loved ones.

"He's not among the dead nor is he among those alive. But I suspect he's dead."

The marine units of both army and Police are conducting the search and rescue mission.

HILLARY AYESIGA MUKONO, CENTRAL UGANDA "Marine divers here are still searching for the missing persons. Police say many people who were on board the vessel are still unaccounted for."

Figures from Police show that only 26 out of the estimated 110 revelers survived the boat accident.

ASUMAN MUGYENYI UGANDAN POLICE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS "We decided to concentrate at the scene where the accident happened because we suspect based on the witnesses that many of them could be trapped in the wreckage."

They blame the incident on the poor mechanical condition of the boat and the negligence of revelers not to wear life-saving jackets. Boat accidents are increasingly common on East Africa's major lakes. More than 200 people died in September when an overloaded ferry sank on the Tanzanian side of the lake. Local authorities are now coming up with tough measures for owners of the vessels.

ZURAH GANYANA UGANDAN SENIOR POLICE OFFICER "They should have all their boats registered fully and they should be inspected and lastly the life jackets if the boat has no life Jackets."

And as the rescue mission intensifies, it is hoped that lessons could be drawn from this incident. HILLARY AYESIGA, CGTN KAMPALA.