24 killed as former Washington ferry capsizes in Tanzania (update, 63 dead, 80 missing)

[uppityperson]

Last edited Thu Jul 19, 2012, 07:05 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Seattle Times

ARUSHA, Tanzania — A Zanzibar official says 24 people were killed in a ferry accident off the coast of Tanzania's island region of Zanzibar.

Dozens are missing, and 145 people have been rescued.

The BBC reports the boat is the MV Skagit, a former Washington state passenger-only ferry, which was sold, relocated to Tanzania and renamed the MV Karama Star Gate.

Mwinyihaji Makame, a deputy minister in the office of the president, said Wednesday it remained unclear how many passengers were on board, but the BBC reported the ferry carried more than 250 people when it sank. An AP photographer reported that it carried more than 290, including more than 30 children....(more)

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018713753_skagit19m.html

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-18894159
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18890691

[PoliticAverse]

1. M/V SKAGIT

http://www.evergreenfleet.com/monohull.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. In her WSF days

[uppityperson]

4. Weird, isn't it? It was a fun little ferry and now is upside down with bodies. Very sad and weird.

[freshwest]

9. Gosh, I love riding those ferries.

[cstanleytech]

3. Tragic and perhaps even

avoidable.

"An AP photographer reported that it carried more than 290, including more than 30 children.
Washington State Ferries documents listed its passenger capacity at 250."

If its true that they really overcrowded it that much then I hope the captain and anyone else involved in making the decision to do so is brought before a court of law for the passengers deaths.

[progressivebydesign]

5. OMG.. The Skagit! Must have been overloaded or something..

those things just don't tip over like that. That's awful.

This is why I'm grateful for the "intrusive" government we have.

[freshwest]

10. +1

[Enrique]

13. but they have freedom

[Generic Other]

6. The foot ferry!

Wow! Wow!

[LuckyLib]

7. Ferries in developing countries are routinely grossly overloaded. Multiple

times capacity for years before one goes over. No "gubmint" in their lives, sadly.

[Beacool]

8. No need to read more than the heading to know what probably happened.

It's always the same story, the ferry was over its capacity. It seems to be a fairly common incident in developing countries. Greed and poor regulations allow the owners to over crowd them.

May they rest in peace.

[freshwest]

11. +1

[uppityperson]

12. UPDATE: 63 dead so far, at least 80 still missing.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018713753_skagit19m.html

Toll from Vashon ferry sinking in Tanzania could approach 150
A former Washington state passenger-only ferry has capsized in high winds between Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Stormy conditions hampered rescue efforts Thursday for a capsized former Washington state ferry off Tanzania's coast, as officials said the death toll had risen to at least 31.

The BBC reported the toll as at least 63, with hopes fading for at least 80 people missing a day after the MV Skagit capsized.

"Search operations continue, but it is now almost impossible survivors will be found," Zanzibar police spokesman Mohamed Mhina said. "The weather was very bad, there were big waves and strong wind."

The Red Cross said at least 146 people were rescued.