250 people rescued, more feared dead as ship capsizes and sinks in Tanzania

The capsized ship, MV Spice Islander, begins to sink as rescue efforts continue.

250 people have been rescued after a ship carrying about 610 passengers, coming from Malindi Port, Unguja on it's way to Wete Kisawani Port in Pemba capsized in the Indian Ocean along Nungwi coastline in Unguja South early in the morning, today.

The boat that was also carrying luggage Christianed MV Spice Islander, is said to have left the port in a stable condition and the causes of the accident are not known while at the same time investigations are going on.

The Minister of State in the Vice President's Office, Mohamed Aboud Mohamed, said people were rescued by rescue services and good Samaritans and the rescued people have been transported to safety using speed boats dispatched for the rescue exercise.

The President of Zanzibar, Dr Dk Ali Mohamed Shein, has visited the scene of the accident to assess the damage and the rescuing exercise. The rescue exercise is continuing