At least 19 people were dead and 32 others missing in a boat accident off Lake Albert in Western Uganda on Saturday, according to reports quoting local security officials. Lake Albert lies along the Uganda-Congo border, and is about 100 miles long and 20 miles wide. Ugandan police officials said among the bodies recovered in the accident, 16 were children.
Reports say there were over 96 people on board the vessel with most of them being refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo at the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement located in Hoima District South West Uganda.
The cause of the accident is believed to have been overloading as the ill-fated vessel was transporting people from Kyenjonjo to Hoima. Some reports say the captain of the boat has survived and has since been arrested.
The refugees were reported to be on their way to Democratic Republic of Congo from Kyangwali and Bugoma in Hoima district.
Authorities said at least 45 passengers were rescued with 32 others still missing even as search and rescue operations continued with a police marine unit and fire brigade scouring the area.
Sunday 23 March 2014
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