Eleven Igundu Primary School pupils in Bunda District, Mara Region, are among 13 people who are feared to have lost their lives in accidents involving two canoes plying along Lake Victoria.

Initial reports say that the canoes carried passengers above capacity, something that is attributed to the cause for canoes’ sinking.

Lack of rescue equipment was pointed out as another reason for rescuers’ failure to continue with the operation to search for bodies of the victims.

The accident took place at Idundu Village involving the Holy Spiritual Church of God (HSCG) believers.

The two canoes sank on 6:30pm of July 30, 2023, carrying 28 people aboard instead of an average of 14 passengers as each canoe is estimated to have a capacity of seven passengers.

HSCG worshippers were returning from a Sunday Mass held at Mchigondo Village where they were also planning for a Gospel meeting slated to take place in Iramba Area in Bunda District.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Igundu councillor where the villages are located, Mr Mkama Nyamkinda said initial findings of investigation shows that the two canoes carried passengers twice their capacity.

“Collectively, the canoes had the capacity of carrying 14 passengers; seven in each. However, it has been established that the canoes carried over 28 people,” he said.

“Passengers and canoe owners are supposed to abide by the laws and regulations, especially observing vessel’s capacity and possession of rescue equipment in case of tragedies,” he added.

Mara Region Fire and Rescue Brigade Commander Agostino Magere supported the councillor saying passengers travelling in small size marine vessels are supposed to wear life jackets before and throughout the journey.

“The tragedy would have a minor impact if all passengers observed the directive to wear life jackets,” he said.

Reports from the scene say that 11 pupils aged to 13 years are among the passengers believed to have lost their lives during the tragedy.

Igundu Village chairman Sumila Nyamkinda confirmed that primary school pupils are among the passengers feared dead and that the victims are residents and HSCG believers.

Victims narrate the ordeal

Speaking to The Citizen, Mr Baraka Jumbula, one of the victims said their belief was that the accident was a spiritual trial against a gospel meeting slated to take place in Iramba Area on August 9, this year.

“We have been praying in our Igundu Village, but, this Sunday, we travelled for a special prayer in Mchigondo Village in order to put the gospel mission in the hands of God,” he said, noting that the accident occurred as they were returning home.