Death toll in Lake Turkana boat accident rises to 14 as nine bodies retrieved

The death toll from last Thursday’s boat tragedy in Lake Turkana has risen to 14, after nine more bodies were recovered Sunday.

The boat capsized at about 5pm, and five bodies were recovered on Friday.

Eight survivors are being treated at Kalokol Health Centre.

Among the dead were two pregnant women.

The boat was carrying more than 20 people, besides luggage, mainly salt used for preserving fish.

The vessel was heading to Namukuse from Daraja Two centre when strong winds caused it to capsize.

The coxswain is said to have underestimated the magnitude of the waves.

Mr Paul Wambugo, the warden in charge of Central Island National Park, said apart from the eight in hospital, there were no other survivors rescued by a team of Kenya Wildlife Service rangers based at Kalokol.

With 22 people already accounted for, the search for possible survivors or more bodies is still going on.

“Since the Kerio Valley Development Authority rescue team joined us on Friday, we have managed to retrieve four more bodies, putting the number of bodies we have recovered to nine,” Mr Wambugo told the Nation by phone.

NO HOPE FOR MORE SURVIVORS

He said the search was still on, but hopes of finding more survivors were getting slimmer by the day.

Namukuse Location Chief Moses Lopeyok said residents who were helping in the rescue mission recovered five more bodies, in addition to the five found by the rangers.

“The total number of people we have lost in this tragic accident is 14 and these include two pregnant women,” said Mr Lopeyok.

He said fishermen and coxswains had been advised not to operate after 5pm, especially now that winds are becoming stronger in the evenings.

The boat operators have also been told to ensure that the vessels carry the prescribed weight.

Nominated MCA Ruth Kuya called for stringent regulations to ensure boats meet required specifications before being allowed to operate.