The ferry boat MV Skagit/Kalama that was on its way from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar has capsized in heavy weather. The ferry is said to have been carrying over 280 passengers onboard. So far, the death toll has risen to 31, 100 people are still missing.
The ferry belonged to Seagull company and carried six crew members and about 281 passengers, consisting of 250 adults and 31 children. The ship left Dar es Salaam at 12:00 p.m. for a four hour trip to Unguja. It sank near Chumbe, a coral park and former army base, about 10 km from Unguja, Zanzibar’s main island.
Rescue Operation
During rescue work 149 people were rescued from the Indian Ocean, with dozens injured that were rushed to the main hospital for medical treatment at Stone Town. The 100 missing have probably drowned in the ship that is upside down and nearly completely submerged. The number of foreigners that was onboard is still unclear. The rescue operation was halted around midnight, but will continue as soon as daylight breaks.
Preliminary research claims the accident was caused by heavy winds.
