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Tanzania ferry accident: Burials begin as death toll climbs to 224

No further survivors are likely to be found, according to officials

Zamira Rahim
Sunday 23 September 2018 15:14 BST
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Bodies dragged from the ocean after Tanzania ferry capsizes

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Burials have begun for victims who died after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Lake Victoria, in Tanzania, killing at least 224 people.

Kasssim Majaliwa, Tanzinia’s prime minister, lead mourners at a funeral service, according to the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation.

The MV Nyerere sank on Thursday evening, just a few metres from Ukerewe, the lake’s biggest island.

On Saturday divers pulled a man out of the ship two days after the disaster.

The four navy divers had resumed their search after hearing sounds inside.

The survivor was identified as the ferry’s engineer, who had locked himself in its engine room. His condition is not known although a witness told Reuters that the man was rushed to hospital.

Tanzania’s defence chief, Venance Mabeyo, said that no further survivors were likely to be found.

Search efforts are ending and officials will now focus on identifying the dead.

On Friday Tanzania's president, John Magufuli, ordered the arrest of those suspected to be responsible and declared a four-day period of mourning for the victims.

Agencies contributed to this report

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