Death toll in western Uganda boat accident rises to 8: police

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 21:59:59|Editor: ZX
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KAMPALA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a capsize Sunday on Lake Albert in Uganda's western district of Hoima has risen to eight, and about nine other people may remain missing, the police said on Monday.

Hoima District Police Commander Christopher Katumba told Xinhua by telephone that search and rescue crew retrieved six bodies on Monday, bringing the total number of the dead to eight.

"We are still continuing with the operation since we don't have the list of people on board. About nine to 10 people maybe unaccounted for," Katumba said.

The overloaded boat, carrying a group of local football players and their supporters returning from a match, capsized a few meters away from the landing site.

Fred Enanga, Uganda's police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone on Sunday that some 32 people who were on the boat managed to swim to the shores.

The police spokesperson said the boat was swept up by strong winds and capsized.

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