By Tugume Johnbosco
HOIMA: A total of eight bodies have so far been retrieved from Lake Albert as search for boat accident victims continues.
The Sunday afternoon accident near Fofo landing site in Buseruka Subcounty Hoima district, involved a boat packed with over 60 footballers and their fans going for a friendly match at the neighbouring Runga landing site.
Albertine region police commander, Denis Obura says a search team of police marine personnel and the locals on Monday afternoon recovered five more bodies, in addition to the three that were recovered yesterday (Sunday).
Over 30 people are feared dead, while 32 were rescued. Obura says the search continues for the 20 still missing passengers on the ill-fated boat. Blaming the accident on overloading, the Regional Police Commander emphasized need for water transporters to always be cautious. “We are told the operators were cautioned against the load but they never listened and to the worst, they were drinking,” he said on Monday.
Meanwhile Zawadi Rundi, a survivor recounts that the boat lost balance just moments after takeoff, but the occupants didn’t mind. At the time of filing this story, families of the deceased were seen digging graves in preparation for burial of their loved ones.
