A one survivor of the Lake Victoria boat cruise which capsized yesterday evening says the boat started sinking gradually after a hole was detected.
Ssenkezi Francis says as the boat started sinking, emergency teams were informed for a rescue mission. Being a good swimmer, he stated that he gave away his life jacket to one reveller who was at the brink of drowning.
“I put off my life jacket and gave it to someone I saw drowning who could not swim,” Ssenkezi Francis said.
At this point, many were helplessly grappling to visible parts of the sinking boat as they waited for rescue. Those who could swim started off heading for the mainland.
“We screamed for over 25 minutes, and saw rescue teams on a boat coming to save us,” he said.
Francis said he survived twice, after the rescue boat that was sent out, also submerged due to the over load. More people died at this incident too, he recalled.
“I kept swimming until another boat surfaced ,and retrieved us from the waters to the main land,” he said.
Death hits 30
According to Brig. Richard Karemire UPDF spokesperson, the death toll is at 30.
“By 11:00 am. 17 more bodies have been recovered. The team of divers has increased to include those from Police, UPDF Marine and Airforce. So far the number of the dead retrieved is 30 in total. Those alive remain 26. The operation continues”, he stated.
There were about 120 revellers on board.