KAMPALA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a boat accident on Lake Albert in the western Ugandan district of Hoima has risen to 16, with no more hope for survivors, the police said on Tuesday.
Julius Hakiza, Albertine regional police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that the search and rescue operation teams late on Monday and early Tuesday retrieved eight bodies, bringing the total number of dead to 16.
"The number of bodies retrieved from Sunday up to day morning (Tuesday) goes to 16. More other bodies are expected to be retrieved during the course of the day," said Hakiza.
The police spokesperson said the number of people who drowned in the Sunday accident is not known since there is no list of those who were on board. According to police there were 32 people who survived the accident.
The overloaded boat, carrying a group of local football players and their supporters from a soccer match from Fojo to Runga, capsized a few meters away from Runga landing site.
Boat accidents on the east African country lakes are common due to overloading and strong winds.
