Boat carrying a Ugandan football team capsizes in Lake Albert, 30 drown

Uganda Police divers and local fishermen search for victims of a boat disaster on Lake Albert on 23 March, 2013 (file image) MICHELE SIBILONI/AFP/Getty Images

BBC – At least 30 people have drowned after a boat carrying a football team and their fans capsized on Lake Albert in Uganda, police say.

The overcrowded vessel was carrying some 45 people. Police say the boat became unbalanced when too many passengers moved to one side.

Nine bodies have been recovered, and 15 people have been rescued, reports say.

Boat accidents are fairly common on Lake Albert and in other parts of Africa.

Vessels are often packed with too many people and goods, and in a poor state.

Police commander John Rutagira told AFP news agency most passengers were drunk by the time they embarked on the boat.

The group, from Buliisa District, was on its way to a Christmas day football match in Hoima District, singing songs and blowing trumpets and whistles.

Fishermen have helped authorities on the rescue operation.

In November, 10 people drowned in Lake Albert on the country’s western shore.

The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
You might also like

Submit a Correction

For: Boat carrying a Ugandan football team capsizes in Lake Albert, 30 drown

Your suggestion have been successfully submitted

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Libyan Express will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.