At least 86 bodies have so far been recovered after MV Nyerere capsized in Lake Victoria.

The ferry was plying between Bugorara and Ukala islands when the accident happened.

According to Mwanza Regional Commissioner John Mongella, 44 bodies were recovered on Thursday after the accident while another 42 others were found on Friday morning when the rescue operation resumed.

The ferry toppled over at 2.05pm, some 50 metres away from the dock at Ukara Island, Ukuwere District.

Ferry capacity

Ukerewe District Commissioner Cornel Maghembe confirmed the ferry has a capacity of carrying only 100 people but was carrying more than 400 people at the time of the accident, The Citizen Tanzania reported.

In 1996, more than 800 people died when the passenger and cargo ferry MV Bukoba sank on Lake Victoria.