Maritime Accident News

Horrific Zanzibar Boat Accident Claims Lives of 240 People

Last Saturday, a Zanzibar ferry, the MV Spice Islander, capsized in the deep sea, killing upwards of 240 people. According to an MSNBC report, the boat, which was headed for a tourist destination in Tanzania, capsized in the middle of the night after listing. Observers and critics noted that the Zanzibar ferry fleet has long been replete with aging, dangerously ill-equipped vessels. Some reports suggested that the boat's capacity was only 600; 800 people were aboard.

An MSNBC report contains this chilling comment about the aftermath of the capsizing: "Those lucky enough to find something to cling to floated in the dark waters for at least three hours until the strong currents began to wash them up on the white sandy shores of Zanzibar... a witness counted nearly 200 bodies."

Was this accident an isolated incident? A report from the British paper, The Guardian, says no. Author Saumava Mitra recounted his experience in 2010 on a similar ferry ride: "At the end of the five-hour trip on the small, overcrowded and overloaded boat on the open sea, my fellow passengers fell on their knees and kissed the planks, thanking the Almighty for the uneventful trip. I had not understood the full significance then. Now I do."

Boat accidents can be terrible and nightmarish - even more so than land accidents, since survivors often must endure hours (sometimes even days) of waiting for rescue and proper medical care.

If you or someone you care about was recently injured in a boating accident, the team at Vujasinovic & Beckcom can help you make sense of what happened, take a look at strategic options to get compensation, hold wrongdoers accountable, and point you towards resources you can use to rebuild your life and get better. Call us as at (877) 724-7800, or visit www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com to learn more.

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