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1st LD-Writethru: 10 feared dead after boat capsizes in S. Tanzania

Xinhua, July 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least ten people were feared dead after their boat capsized Saturday in Ruvuma River, southern Tanzania, authorities said on Sunday.

Binilith Mahenge, Ruvunma regional commissioner, said the boat capsized at 2:00 p.m. Saturday when it was ferrying people who were returning from a public auction.

So far, 30 people were rescued until Sunday noon, according to the official.

"We are still at the scene of the boat accident searching for the victims," Mahenge told Xinhua on the phone, adding that the search continued.

The boat was plying between Songea Rural district and a village near the Tanzania-Mozambique boarder in Nyasa District, Ruvuma region.

Mahenge said initial reports indicated that the boat was overloaded before it capsized in the river infested with crocodiles.

The boat had the capacity of carrying 20 to 25, but on the fateful day it carried 40 people.

Mahenge said legal measures will be taken against owner of the sank boat for overload. Endite