Ferry collision shocks hundreds
HUNDREDS of people keenly watched as the damaged <i>MV Kaawa</i> docked at the Port Bell pier from Kalangala, where it collided with <i>MV Kabalega</i>, which sunk under Lake Victoria.
By Gerald Tenywa
HUNDREDS of people keenly watched as the damaged MV Kaawa docked at the Port Bell pier from Kalangala, where it collided with MV Kabalega, which sunk under Lake Victoria.
The two cargo ferries were commissioned in the early 1980s and have been plying Mwanza and Port Bell.
About 40 crew including UPDF soldiers docked in at about 6:15pm, three hours after MV Pamba came with the crew rescued from MV Kabalega.
The crowds started assembling from morning after news about the accident trickled in early morning yesterday.
They frantically called the crew and other government officials to establish the plight of their relatives and friends.
Several women who had cargo on the ill-fated MV Kabalega were in tears, saying it had sunk with their fortunes.
Asian businessmen from Mukwano Group of companies also came but left after they failed to get access to the pier.
Survivors, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they heard a loud bang at about 3:30am.
“I thought my time on earth was over. I prayed and I thank God that we are alive,†one of the survivors said.
HUNDREDS of people keenly watched as the damaged MV Kaawa docked at the Port Bell pier from Kalangala, where it collided with MV Kabalega, which sunk under Lake Victoria.
The two cargo ferries were commissioned in the early 1980s and have been plying Mwanza and Port Bell.
About 40 crew including UPDF soldiers docked in at about 6:15pm, three hours after MV Pamba came with the crew rescued from MV Kabalega.
The crowds started assembling from morning after news about the accident trickled in early morning yesterday.
They frantically called the crew and other government officials to establish the plight of their relatives and friends.
Several women who had cargo on the ill-fated MV Kabalega were in tears, saying it had sunk with their fortunes.
Asian businessmen from Mukwano Group of companies also came but left after they failed to get access to the pier.
Survivors, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they heard a loud bang at about 3:30am.
“I thought my time on earth was over. I prayed and I thank God that we are alive,†one of the survivors said.