Death toll rises to seven after truck plunges into River Nile in Uganda

Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-17 23:28:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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KAMPALA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least four bodies were retrieved on Monday, raising the death toll to seven of Sunday's accident after a truck plunged into River Nile in the northwestern Ugandan district of Pakwach, a police spokesperson said.

Josephine Angucia, West Nile regional police spokesperson said in a statement that the four bodies were recovered by search and rescue teams.

"Death toll for River Nile accident has gone to seven. Two more people are reported missing by the relatives," said Angucia.

Angucia said the search for the remaining people will continue.

She said the bodies of the deceased were taken to Pakwach Health Centre mortuary pending identification by relatives.

At least three people died, 12 rescued and over five missing after a canter truck carrying more than 20 people from Pabbo County in northern district of Amuru heading to Panyimur fish market in Nebbi district plunged into River Nile at Lubiri A landing site on Sunday.

The breaks of the ill-fated truck reportedly failed, hence making it to speed towards the river and plunged into the waters, according to police.

Ugandan police deployed marines and divers from Marine Headquarters in Kigo in the central district of Wakiso for an active search and rescue operation for the missing passengers.

Uganda registers at least 20,000 accidents each year, with over 2,000 deaths, making it one of the countries with the highest road traffic death rates, according to police statistics.

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