Death toll could rise sharply - VP
The Source: hadhramaut.info//http://www.ippmedia.com/ - 13/09/2011
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The death toll from the Zanzibar ship disaster could rise significantly after it emerged there were more than 1,000 passengers aboard the vessel when it capsized last week, according to a senior Zanzibar official The death toll from the Zanzibar ship disaster could rise significantly after it emerged there were more than 1,000 passengers aboard the vessel when it capsized last week, according to a senior Zanzibar official.
Initial reports suggested the MV Spice Islander was carrying 800 people, well above the ferry's 600-passenger capacity, when it sank in the east African nation's worst maritime disaster for 15 years.
"We are expecting some more bodies between now, tomorrow or the day after. We managed to recover 197 bodies, but because the ship took more than 1,000 people, we expect more bodies," Zanzibar's second vice-president, Seif Ali Iddi, told Reuters yesterday.
More than 600 passengers were rescued from the ferry and the vice president of the semi-autonomous archipelago said he does not expect any more survivors to be found.
Iddi said South African divers were expected yesterday to start searching the wreck of the ferry at the bottom of the Indian Ocean for more bodies.
"At this time ... we don't expect any survivors unless maybe they managed to escape to Tanga (in mainland Tanzania) or to Mombasa (in Kenya). Our hope to get survivors is very small, but we expect to get more bodies," he said.
A team of 11 South African navy divers arrived in Zanzibar on Sunday night after officials in Pretoria dispatched them and four medical personnel to help with search and rescue operations.
"Their first task is to see whether there are any bodies which have been trapped inside the ship. Of course they have to dismantle it to get the bodies ... it is a heavy ship full of cargo and it is very deep down, almost 400 metres," Iddi said.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the rescue team had arrived with equipment such as chambers and oxygen gases to be used in the operation.
Rescue workers said the divers would have to battle deep waters and strong Indian Ocean currents to get to the capsized vessel.
Zanzibar Police Commissioner Mussa Alli Mussa told Reuters helicopters were to sweep the coastline and sea between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania yesterday to look for survivors or bodies.
"We want to be completely sure that there are no bodies trapped inside the ship before we call off this operation," he said.
The ferry sank at midnight on Friday, off the coast of Nungwi village, a popular tourist spot famous for its white sand beaches and diving clubs.
Meanwhile President Jakaya Kikwete has made an impassionate appeal to the relatives and friends of people who died in the tragedy to be patient as authorities take necessary steps to handle the situation.
He made the remarks during special prayers for the victims of the Saturday accident held at Maisara grounds in Zanzibar which attracted politicians and government leaders from Zanzibar and Union governments.
He also wished the survivors quick recovery to resume their normal activities.
He showered praise on the Zanzibar government for effectively handling the situation.
“I also extend my profound appreciation to the security and defense forces to their tireless effort in rescuing the victims of the accident, and providing other humanitarian support to the families and residents,” he said.
For his part, Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein called on marine vessel owners and operators to follow set rules and regulations.
“The government will ensure everything regarding the accident is taken care of to avoid repeat of such tragedies,” he said.Chief Secretary, Philemon Luhanjo who headed the National Security Council said a probe commission consisting of experts besides establishing the cause of the accident, will come up with recommendations regarding the accident.
The leader of Tanzania's main opposition CHADEMA party, Freeman Mbowe, urged the Zanzibar government to take decisive measures to improve marine transport safety.
"This national tragedy should serve as a timely wake up call to the government," he said.
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