NORTHERN PROVINCE

BURERA — The seven people who went missing after the boat they were travelling in capsized last week on L Burera, have been confirmed dead.

No bodies were discovered after four days of searching by Marine police and renowned swimmers in the district, authorities said yesterday.

Experts and local elders said that the bodies of the victims would be retrieved from the water when they float on the surface after seven days.

Authorities identified the dead as Tarcia karera, Gregore Muberuka and Danial Ndayishimiye. Others are Nzabara, Harinda Murere, and Uwizeye J damascene.

The ill-fated wooden engine boat with 22 people aboard, reportedly business men from the Sectors of Rusarabuye, Gitovu, and Kinyababa who were heading to Rugarama market, one of the biggest markets in Burera district capsised last Wednesday.

The accident reportedly occurred as the occupants tried to offload part of the merchandise, from the boat said to have been overloaded, by dumping it in water.

One person, among the 13 who were saved by other boats, which found them swimming died from the near by hospital, while other survivors reportedly clutched on their ill-fated boat.

Among the survivors included three children below the age of 14, who reportedly had swum along with their parents. Meanwhile, authorities have suspended water transport for a month on the lake, the Mayor Aime Bosenibamwe told The New times by phone.

He said authorities would first screen all the boats and only those meeting "required standards” would be allowed to operate.

He said engine boats with a required capacity and necessities such as life jackets, insurance and boat drivers with required qualifications would be allowed to operate.

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