Over 1000 Die, TRC Marine Division's Ships manifest for MV Bukoba's shows 443 passengers in 1st-2nd class, 3rd class passengers were not manifested
TRC Marine Division's Ships manifest for MV Bukoba's final voyage showed 443 passengers in 1st-2nd class cabins, but cheaper third class accommodation had no manifest. Abu Ubaidah al-Banshiri, who was then second in command of Al Qaeda, died in the disaster.
The routine journey from Bukoba to Mwanza via Kemondo Bay capsized and sunk in Lake Victoria some eight kilometres away from the city of Mwanza, killing an estimated 1,000 passengers.
President Benjamin Mkapa declared three days of national mourning. Criminal charges were brought against nine Tanzania Railway Corporation officials, including the captain of the Bukoba and the manager of TRC's Marine Division.
Possible causes were identified by Captain Joseph Muguthi, formerly of the Kenya Navy, and writing in the pages of the Daily Nation as a marine navigation consultant. He labeled it an accident waiting to happen, as Lake Victoria ferries disregarded safety regulations. Specifically:
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