Zanzibar cautious after ferry mishap

BY WARYOBA YANKAMI

7th January 2014

Ill-fated ferry boat Kilimanjaro II, which was hit by strong waves off Zanzibar on Sunday, docked at Zanzibar port yesterday. 5 people drowned in the mishap while 18 are still unaccounted for.

Zanzibar yesterday placed a temporary suspension on ferry services, after two boats carrying people to Unguja were hit by strong waves in the Indian Ocean, killing ten people.

Reports obtained late yesterday from Zanzibar said the measure had been instituted after the weather agency warned it was not safe to travel by seas.
But marine services resumed later in the day after TMA confirmation that the seas were safe for marine transport.

Zanzibar Marine Authority (ZMA) Director, Abdi Omar Maalim had earlier told The Guardian that ferry services were suspended due to a warning by the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) that the situation in the Indian Ocean was not safe.
“We had to suspend all the services on grounds that the situation had not returned to normal,” he said.

A spot survey by the Guardian at Malindi Port in Zanzibar early yesterday witnessed a number of people stranded at Zanzibar Port following the suspension.
It was however established that most of travelers were refunded their fare while some were forced to suspend their trips.

Kassim Mbwana frequent traveler between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar said suspension of the services had affected his businesses.

He said the move would not stop accidents which can occur at any time.
Ali Muhammed applauded the government decision saying it aimed at protecting peoples’ lives, since the situation in the Indian Ocean was unpredictable.

In another development ZMA Director told reporters in Zanzibar that Kilimanjaro-II boat Captain Nassor Abubakar had been arrested for questioning.

He said fresh details emerging from the scene where Kilimanjaro II boat was hit by strong waves says the divers found only cargo floating around and that no more bodies had been recovered, although reports say it is suspected that 27 people drowned in the Nungwi waters.

Omar detailed that Kilimanjaro –II boat had eight divers and one captain.
He said divers were using four speed boats one of which is from the Police, another from KMKM and two others from individuals residing in Zanzibar.

He said the rescue team was yesterday evening heading to Tumbatu Island where there was another ferry mishap.

The team was dispatched to see whether they would recover more bodies as reports reaching his office yesterday morning said more than eight people were still missing.

Minister of State Second Vice President Office Mohammed Abood has suspended rescue operation calling on district and regional commissioners, ward exercutives to inform authorities on seeing any floating body. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN