Boat Ferrying Unknown Number of People Capsizes in Lake Victoria

A boat ferrying an unknown number of passengers has sunk in Lake Victoria, according to reports.

The vessel dubbed Water Bus was headed to Usenge beach in Siaya County from Mageta Island on Saturday, May 2nd, when the incident happened, Citizen Digital reported.

It is suspected that the boat capsized after it was struck by a strong storm and high tide caused by the rising water levels in the water body.

Local authorities in collaboration with the beach management have launched a search and rescue operation following the incident.

Over the past few months, Lake Victoria has been swelling due to the high downpour witnessed in Western Kenya as well as climatic change.

This week, neighboring Uganda issued an alert over the lake’s rising water levels, saying it is the highest level seen in the last 50 years. 

Sections of waterfront properties including hotels have already been submerged, according to Reuters.

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