9 fishermen die after overloaded boat capsizes
This new tragedy bring back sad memories of last year's boat accident where nine musicians from the popular Extra Young Ohangla band also drowned in Lake Victoria
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A total of nine fishermen perished last night after their boat capsized in Lake Victoria's Bunyala South port in Budalangi Constituency, Busia County.
Port Victoria police chief Fredrick Kagari said the overloaded boat carrying more than 20 fishermen was heading to Musoma Beach in Tanzania from Nandekhe fishing village lost control after it was hit by heavy winds.
seventeen other people, who were aboard the vessel, were also rescued.
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Area MCA Anthony Mayinya termed the incident unfortunate and called on the county to provide more rescue boats and live saver jackets.
"I send my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I ask Busia County government to issue more life saver jackets and patrol boats. This area has 500 fishermen who share 15 life saver jackets,'' said Mayinya.
Siaya governor, Cornel Rasanga condoned with the family of the deceased and called on national government to police beaches to contain overloading of passengers by boat owners.
Kenya Maritime authority with the help of local fishermen recovered five bodies by Friday morning, two bodies were later recovered at around 8:30am, another body at 11:30 and the last one was recovered today in the afternoon.
This new tragedy bring back sad memories of last year's boat accident where nine musicians from the popular Extra Young Ohangla band also drowned in Lake Victoria
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Bunyala South MCA Steven Omendi has advised fishermen to stock enough life jackets and always be on the look-out for bad weather.
“I call upon the owners of water vessels in the area to take an initiative of also equipping the crew with these jackets rather than waiting for donations.” He said.
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