Death toll rises to 131 in Tanzania ferry disaster

In Tanzania, the death toll climbed to 131 in Friday's ferry capsize in Lake Victoria. President John Magufuli has ordered the arrest of the management of the capsized ferry, MV Nyerere as the rescue workers pressed on with the search to find scores more people feared drowned.

 

The ferry may have been carrying almost 200 passengers, which is double its capacity, when it capsized close to the Ukara Island on Thursday, according



to reports on state media.

Witnesses said the ferry sank when passengers rushed to one side to disembark as it approached the dock.

President Magufuli referred to negligence as the cause of the accident and said he had ordered the arrest of those involved in the ferry's management, during a speech on TBC One public television. He also declared four days of national mourning.