UKARA ISLAND — 2018 · Major Tragedy
The MV Nyerere Ferry Disaster
On 20 September 2018 the ferry MV Nyerere, running between Ukerewe and Ukara island on Lake Victoria, capsized only about 50 metres from the Ukara jetty. Built for 100 passengers, it was carrying around four times that number according to officials. The person steering reportedly made a sharp turn on realising he was approaching the wrong side of the dock, and the cargo shifted, tipping the vessel over. The government said 228 people died and 41 were rescued. President Magufuli said the vessel had been steered by an untrained man while the real captain was not on board, ordered the arrest of the ferry's managers and declared four days of mourning.
- Date
- 2018
- Place
- Ukerewe, Lake Victoria, Tanzania, Ukara Island, TZ
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -1.8300, 33.0500 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 20 September 2018MV Nyerere capsized near the Ukara jetty.
- 21 September 2018The president ordered the arrest of the operators.
- 28 September 2018The ferry was righted and recovered.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Sinking of MV Nyerere en.wikipedia.org ↗
- The Guardian — Tanzania's president orders arrests as ferry death toll climbs theguardian.com ↗
- BBC — Lake Victoria, Tanzania: Dozens drown in ferry capsize bbc.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- BBC
- The Guardian
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.