Dozens feared drowned after boat capsizes

More than three dozen people were feared drowned after a wooden boat capsized in Lake Victoria, police said today.

The 40ft long boat was believed to have been carrying about 50 passengers when it capsized on Friday, police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi said.

So far, eight passengers have been rescued and the bodies of four people, including two children, have been recovered, he said.

The boat was carrying passengers and cargo between islands on the western side of Africa’s largest lake when it capsized, Mugenyi said. The accident took place about 80 miles south of Kampala, he said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the accident, but overloading often leads to the capsizing of boats that ply the lake, Mugenyi said.

He said the situation is made worse because the police marine unit lacks resources to patrol the huge body of water.