At least 100 feared dead as ferry sinks in Tanzania

At least 100 people are feared dead today after a ferry sank in a river in eastern Tanzania.

Local radio said the accident happened after a rope used to pull the ferry from one side of the river to the other broke.

Shaida Ndumba, a journalist in the region, said: "It is suspected more than 100 people died. The boat carries more than 150 people."

However, Paul Cikira, a regional administrator, said just 58 people were on board. Ms Ndumba said only five bodies have been recovered so far.

The ferry was crossing the Kilombero River from Ulanga to Morogoro, 155 miles west of the capital Dar-es-Salaam, when the accident happened.

The river was reportedly swollen as a result of recent heavy rains in the region.