KIGALI, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people have been confirmed dead and four more missing after a boat capsized on a river in eastern Rwanda, an official said Saturday.
The accident occurred on Friday evening on River Mugesera in Rwamagana District. The boat was carrying passengers, mainly farmers who were returning from harvesting their produce in Rukumberi sector in Ngoma district, heading to Rwamagana district, when it capsized due to a strong wind that sank the boat, according to local officials.
"There were 46 passengers on board; as of Saturday morning, 11 bodies were recovered, while 31 people were rescued," the district mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi told reporters.
"The search for four more people is still ongoing," said Mbonyumuvunyi, attributing the accident to overloading.
He said the boat was overloaded with passengers and agricultural produce including maize and beans, as several people were returning from harvesting their produce across the river. ■