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muriel_volestrangler

(101,154 posts)
Wed Mar 26, 2014, 05:34 AM Mar 2014

Uganda Lake Albert boat disaster 'killed 251 refugees'

Last edited Thu Mar 27, 2014, 07:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Rescue workers in Uganda have so far recovered 107 bodies, including those of 57 children, after a boat capsized on Saturday on Lake Albert, a government minister has said.

The boat was taking refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo back to their home country when it capsized.

It had a capacity to carry only 80 passengers, but up to 250 people were on board, officials said.
...
The boats were carrying refugees who had been living at a camp in Uganda, and had decided to return to eastern DR Congo of their own accord, the UNHCR said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26730269


Update:

More than 250 people died in last Saturday's boat capsize on Lake Albert between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, a minister has said.
...
"It is with deep sorrow that we confirm to the nation the death of 251 of our compatriots who had boarded the boat from the Ugandan side of Lake Albert," said Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende Omalanga, adding that "we have managed to have something like 50 people who have escaped."
...
The boat was one of two which left on Saturday from Uganda's Hoima district on the eastern side of the lake, which lies on the border with DR Congo.

The boats were carrying refugees who had been living at a camp in Uganda, and had decided to return to eastern DR Congo of their own accord, the UNHCR said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26774338
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