Africa-Press – Rwanda. Eight bodies were recovered from the wreckage of a boat that capsized in Lake Mugesera while traversing to Rwamagana on January 26.
According to SP Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police Spokesperson in Eastern Province, the tragic incident occurred when the overloaded wooden boat sank, drowning 40 passengers on board.The boat operated by COODURAM, a local cooperative, was licensed to carry 15 passengers but it was carrying more than 40, and their cargo, when the accident happened.
According to Twizeyimana, the tragedy occurred during a trip from Rukumberi in Ngoma District to Karenge in Rwamagana.
He said: “A boat carrying over 40 people capsized in a boat accident while carrying mostly farmers from Rukumberi to Karenge. The boat was allowed to carry 15 people according to the insurance form, but it was carrying more than 40 by the time of the tragedy.
Eight people perish in boat accident along Mugesera Lake, the wooden boat with an insurance of 15, had 40 farmers on board causing imbalances and later capsizing, according to Police
“Marine security officers rescued 31 people. Six were found dead; these include five adults and a child, and two others [dead bodies] were retrieved in the morning hours of January 27.”
The dead were transferred to Rwamagana Hospital for a postmortem, while the injured survivors were taken to Karenge Health Centre, he noted, as the marine rescue team at the scene continued to work “tirelessly to locate and retrieve the missing.”
Twizeyimana urged water transport operators in the region to follow the law; wear protective jackets, use motor boats, and avoid overloading, while sending condolences to families who lost their beloved ones.
Water is a common means of transport in Eastern Province as it boasts nine lakes in different districts.
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