Death toll rises to 34 in Uganda boat accident

24 March 2014 - 11:03 By Sapa-Dpa
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Uganda Police divers and local fishermen sail past the body of a Congolese refugee floating during their search for victims of a boat disaster on Lake Albert.
Uganda Police divers and local fishermen sail past the body of a Congolese refugee floating during their search for victims of a boat disaster on Lake Albert.
Image: AFP photo

Thirty-four people, including eight children, drowned when an overloaded boat capsized on a Ugandan lake, officials said Sunday.

Police initially reported that 19 of the 96 passengers were killed and 32 missing after the boat sank Saturday. The boat, which was crossing Lake Albert, was carrying mostly Congolese nationals, police spokeswoman Lydia Tumushabe told dpa.

Lake Albert lies between the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. "The boat was over-loaded and its captain has been arrested," said Tumushabe.

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