Over 600 people rescued, about 60 dead bodies retrieved from the ill fated ship

Reports from Unguja say over 600 people have been rescued while over 60 dead bodies have been retrieved from the ill-fated ship that capsized and sunk early in the morning today, the rescue exercise continues.

The ship was carrying an unspecified number of passengers, coming from Malindi Port, Unguja on it's way to Wete Kisawani Port in Pemba, when it capsized in the Indian Ocean along Nungwi coastline in Unguja South.

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 team 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