NUNGWI — 2011 · Major Tragedy
The MV Spice Islander I Ferry Disaster
On the night of 10 September 2011 the ferry MV Spice Islander I, sailing from Zanzibar's Unguja island to Pemba, lost engine power and capsized in the Zanzibar Channel. With an official capacity of 645 passengers, it was reported to be carrying more than 2,000 people, and overloading was named as the main cause. Around 620 people were rescued. A Tanzanian government report in January 2012 put the figures at 203 bodies recovered and 1,370 missing. Zanzibar's government declared three days of mourning and promised legal action against those responsible. It was one of East Africa's deadliest maritime disasters.
- Date
- 2011
- Place
- Zanzibar Channel, Tanzania, Nungwi, TZ
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -5.7500, 39.3500 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 September 2011Spice Islander I capsized on the Unguja–Pemba crossing.
- September 2011About 620 people were rescued; three days of mourning were declared.
- January 2012A government report gave 203 dead and 1,370 missing.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Sinking of MV Spice Islander I en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC — Zanzibar ferry disaster: Scores die, many more rescued bbc.co.uk ↗
- Wikipedia
- BBC
- The Sydney Morning Herald
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.