9 die in Uganda boat accident

KAMPALA, Uganda

Nine people died when an overloaded fishing boat capsized in Lake Albert in southwestern Uganda on Christmas Day, police said Monday.

Police confirmed that 21 people initially missing from the accident had been found alive, after fears that as many as 30 people had perished.

Buliisa district Police Commander Rutagira John told Anadolu Agency via telephone that the fishing boat was supposed to carry only 18 people, not 45.

“Witnesses tell us majority of the group that was heading to watch a friendly football match at a neighboring landing site were already drunk including the boat operator.

“None of them was wearing any life jackets yet many sat on one side of the boat as they drummed, whistled, and blew trumpets,” he added.

The accident comes just two days after another boat accident claimed six lives in Lake Victoria in the Kalangala district in central Uganda.

Since 2000, over 250 people have lost their lives in Lake Albert alone with the worst accident occurring in February 2004, when 45 people died.