Lake Victoria Tragedy: Boat Capsizes Leaving 20 Missing

20 passengers on a boat lost their lives after the vessel capsized in Lake Victoria yesterday morning.

Strong winds were the cause of the unfortunate event, which occurred as the boat was ferrying approximately 30 passengers and cargo from Lwanabatya landing site in Kalangala District to Kasenyi landing site near Entebbe in Wakiso District.

Fortunately, ten passengers were rescued by nearby fishermen who responded swiftly to the emergency.

However, the fate of the remaining passengers remains unknown, leading to ongoing efforts to locate and rescue them.

“We have already alerted the marine police on the lake, and all efforts are being made to save those who are still alive,” said Joshua Wafumbwa, a councilor representing Kyamuswa Sub County in Kalangala District. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate any survivors and ensure their safe return.

This unfortunate incident marks a concerning trend, as the number of boats capsizing in Lake Victoria has been increasing in recent weeks.

July witnessed two other tragic incidents, with lives and goods lost.

In one incident, a boat carrying 11 people and essential cargo capsized while heading from Kiseba Islands to Katosi in Mukono.

Six individuals were fortunate enough to be rescued, but five lost their lives during the incident.

In another unfortunate event, a boat ferrying a load of foodstuff from Kasi islands to Katosi in Mukono district capsized, with a man and a woman on board.

The man was rescued by nearby fishermen, while the woman, unfortunately, met her demise.

Read also: Tanzanian Air Plane Crashes Ashore of Lake Victoria

The rise in boat accidents on Lake Victoria has raised concerns among authorities and local communities, prompting them to address the safety issues and implement necessary measures to prevent further tragedies.

As the search and rescue operations continue for the missing passengers in the recent capsizing, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. Authorities must work together to investigate the causes of these accidents and prioritize safety measures to ensure the safety of passengers and cargo during water transportation on Lake Victoria.

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