20 dead, dozens missing from capsized ferry off Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania,

At least 20 people died and scores were missing on Wednesday after a ferry capsized between the Tanzanian commercial capital Dar-es-Salaam and Zanzibar, government officials said.

"Most of the dead were children. The ferry had 258 adults, 31 children and nine crew members and the accident was as a result of strong winds," said Zanzibar ministry for Infrastructure and Communication.

The ferry capsized as it was sailing from the Tanzanian commercial capital of Dar-es-Salaam to Zanzibar.

Saidi Shabaani, an official in the second vice president's office, said the ferry was carrying about 250 people when the accident occurred at around 0930 GMT.

"This is another tragedy we are investigating. A rescue team from the police and navy have rushed to the scene," Shaabani told AFP.

More than 200 people perished in September when the ferry Spice Islander capsized while sailing between two of the three islands that make up Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in one of the worst maritime disasters in Africa in the past decade.

According to Zanzibar Member of Parliament (CUF) Ismail Jussa, the boat is estimated to have been carrying about 200 passengers.

MV Stargic was on its way from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar and rescue operations are still going on.

Jussa said rescue boats have just been dispatched to the scene of the accident and that all other passenger and cargo ferries plying between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar have suspended their operations and joined the recue effort.

According to Mukadam Hamisi of the Mji Mkongwe Police Investigation Department, the government has set up tents and cordoned off Maisara grounds in preparations for receiving dead bodies.

Mr Hamisi, former CID of Mji Mkongwe said the ship owned by Seagull shipping company has now completely sank into the water near Chumbe island.

“There is nothing more I can tell you for now,” he said over the phone.