34 bodies recovered in Lake Albert boat accident

Daily Nation Africa Mar - 24 - 2014 , 08:58 1 minute read

A total of 34 bodies have been retrieved from Lake Albert after a boat capsized on the border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday.

The boat, reportedly carrying more than 100 refugees, was headed to Ntoroko District from the DRC when it capsized.

15 bodies of children have also been recovered, The New Vision newspaper said.

DEATH TOLL UP TO 60

Ms Lydia Tumushabe, the mid-western region police spokesperson, said 45 people were rescued after the incident near Kitebere Landing Site at about 10am in Ndaiga Sub-county.

“Police are still making efforts to trace for 17 people who are still missing,” Ms Tumushabe told the Daily Monitor newspaper.

Kibaale District Police Commander, John Ojokuna Elatu, said the coxswain and two managers are assisting them with investigations.

The number rescued so far pointed to a potential death toll of anywhere between up to 50 and 60, Ugandan media reports said.

Credit: Daily Nation