AfricaPress-Tanzania: AT least four fishermen have died after their boat capsized in Lake Victoria, police said yesterday.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, Mara Regional Police Commander, Daniel Shilla confirmed the incident saying three other fishermen survived after they managed to swim.
RPC Shilla said the fishermen drowned on Wednesday night.
“I have been informed on the deaths of fishermen in Lake Victoria, they all died after their boat was hit by strong storms,” said the police commander.
Neruma ward councilor, Michael Maungo and the ward executive officer, Shinji Shinji mentioned the deceased as Kenedy Lukundo (25), a resident of Mwiluluma village, Jophuley Mazigo (19) residing at Kisorya village, Zacharia Ruhumbika (17) and Masalu Mafuru (22) all residing at Kenkombyo village in Bunda District.
Maungo explained that there were seven fishermen in the fishing boat, but three among them cheated death after they managed to swim.
“We have lost four people; we received information on their deaths from the three fishermen who managed to swim to a safer area,” said the Neruma ward councilor.
Maungo added that soon after they received information on the incident, they organized villagers as well as the ward rescue team which managed to recover all three bodies.
He said the deceased were buried on April 8th 2021.
In November last year, three Tanzanian fishermen were killed after their boat capsized in Lake Victoria.
Richard Abwao, the Simiyu Regional Police Commander, said the drowned fishermen were residents of Busega District.
Boat accidents are increasingly common on East Africa’s major lakes, including Lake Victoria, which is surrounded by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
