The search for missing passengers who fell off a boat last Sunday continued on Monday with no more bodies retrieved, port authorities said.
On Sunday five bodies were retrieved from the sea about six hours after the accident occurred in Nungwi area while the ferry boat, MV Kilimanjaro II, was struck with waves while sailing to Malindi port on Unguja island.
"Search was called off late Sunday because of rough seas and darkness, but we continued today (yesterday) in vain. But there are still about 15 people missing," said Abdi Omar Maalim, director of the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA).
He ruled out reports that some three more bodies had been retrieved. He said a rescue team comprising the police, coastguard and private companies took part in the search.
The Zanzibar Commissioner of Police (CP) Hamdan Omar Makame confirmed that some people including the boat captain Nassor Abubakar Khamis were being interrogated in the ongoing investigation on the incident.
MV Kilimanjaro II left Pemba port at 8am on Sunday bound for Zanzibar port, where it was due to arrive three hours later. However, it was hit by waves, forcing it to lean to one side during which property and some passengers fell into the sea.
Maalim told reporters at the port that the boat had 396 adult passengers and 60 children on board. He blamed the ferry crew for not being transparent and failing to seek help even after the rescue team offered help.
Some relatives and friends turned up yesterday at the hospital and port to look for their missing beloved ones. Mr Khalid Salim Mohammed, Permanent Secretary in the Second Vice-President's office, issued a statement to console the bereaved families and asking for patience as the government continued with the search.
He also asked people to refrain from travelling by sea during this period when weather forecasts warned of rough seas. More than 200 people died in the same place in 2011 when a boat, MV Spice Islander, capsized while on its way to Pemba.
Later in July 2012 another boat, Mv Skirgit, also drowned while sailing to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam, killing more than 140 people.
Tuesday 07 January 2014
http://allafrica.com/stories/201401070097.html
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