Tanzania Commercial Ferry Sinks With Passengers On Board, Overcrowding Cited, Survivors Cling To Debris Nearby

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania— A commercial ferry overloaded with passengers and cargo capsized less than a kilometer from port early morning, throwing more than 100 people into choppy water and triggering a frantic rescue effort.

The vessel, the MV Umoja, was on the short crossing from Kigamboni to Dar es Salaam's main terminal. It was rated for 80 passengers but was carrying at least 130, plus motorbikes and market goods stacked on the upper deck, survivors said. Around 7:10 a.m., it listed sharply to starboard as it turned into the channel. Water came over the side.

The ferry rolled within a minute. People were trapped under tarps and cargo nets. Fishermen nearby were first to respond, pulling people onto wooden dhows. One fisherman said, "We saw it tilt, then it was gone, heads in water, boxes floating, we just pulled anyone we could reach."

Tanzania Ports Authority said the ferry's crew ignored a warning from the harbormaster about load limits. The vessel had been cited twice this month for overloading. Its license was due for renewal next week. The captain survived and is in custody.

By midday, 22 bodies had been recovered. At least 45 people were rescued, some with injuries. An unknown number remained missing. Families crowded the port terminal, shouting names, holding photos. Navy divers entered the submerged hull to check for trapped passengers.

The crossing is a lifeline for workers commuting into the city. Demand often exceeds supply, especially on market days. Operators routinely overload to maximize fares, despite rules. Enforcement is sporadic, with bribes reported.

President's office issued a statement calling for strict compliance with maritime safety rules. The transport ministry said it will suspend all ferries on the route pending safety checks. Past ferry disasters in Tanzania, including the 2018 Lake Victoria sinking that killed over 200, led to similar pledges.

Survivors said there were not enough life jackets on board. The few available were locked in a compartment. Many passengers could not swim.

Search operations continued into the afternoon, with patrol boats sweeping a wider area as currents carried debris. Authorities warned the death toll could rise.