Lake Victoria tragedy: Day three of search mission

Nov 26, 2018

The marine units set out on a mission of pulling the boat wreckage out of the waters to establish if there are more bodies still trapped under.

BOAT ACCIDENT

MUKONO - The search for more victims of Saturday's boat disaster on Lake Victoria entered its third day as the joint team of Police and UPDF marines resumed the arduous work of retrieving bodies from the waters.

But Monday's search has proved futile so far.

The marine units also set out on a mission of pulling the boat wreckage out of the waters "so as to establish if there are more bodies still trapped under".

The team also involved local fishermen to boost the operation, which has since late Saturday retrieved 32 bodies from the lake.

Day three of Mutiima Beach Operations : Police and UPDF Marine Units on a mission of pulling the boat wreckage out of the Lake so as to establish if there are more bodies still trapped under. pic.twitter.com/yzbdbv7OBn
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) November 26, 2018

The ill-fated vessel capsized Saturday early evening about 200 metres from the mainland in Mpatta sub-county in Mukono district, central Uganda.

As many as 26 people were rescued to the safety of the mainland by marines, although the exact number of people onboard the vessel has yet to be established.

News of the disaster spread rapidly on social media, prompting a search by Police and army marine units. Thirteen bodies were retrieved that night, before the search-and-rescue mission paused their operation due to inadequate equipment.

The search resumed Sunday at 7am local time, according to army deputy spokesperson Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki.

More bodies would later be pulled out as the exact location of the submerged boat was eventually established.

Pictures of Monday . . .