Eight bodies had been recovered from the wreckage of a boat that capsized in Lake Mugesera while traversing to Rwamagana by midday on January 26. Later in the day, more bodies were recovered bringing the number to 14.

In the morning, SP Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police Spokesperson in Eastern Province, told The New Times that the tragic incident occurred when the overloaded wooden boat sank, drowning 40 passengers on board.

The boat, operated by COODURAM, a local cooperative, was licensed to carry 15 passengers but it was carrying more than 40, and their cargo, when the accident happened.

According to Twizeyimana, the tragedy occurred during a trip from Rukumberi in Ngoma District to Karenge in Rwamagana.

He said: "The boat was licensed to carry 15 people, according to the insurance firm, but it was carrying more than 40 by the time of the tragedy.

"Marine security officers rescued 31 people. Six were found dead; these include five adults and a child, and two others [dead bodies] were retrieved in the morning hours of January 27."

The dead were transferred to Rwamagana Hospital for a postmortem, while the injured survivors were taken to Karenge Health Centre, he noted, as the marine rescue team at the scene continued to work "tirelessly to locate and retrieve the missing.”

Twizeyimana urged water transport operators in the region to follow the law; wear protective jackets, use motor boats, and avoid overloading, while sending condolences to families who lost their beloved ones.

Water is a common means of transport in Eastern Province as it boasts nine lakes in different districts.