At least 36 people have died in Togo
when their boats capsized during a storm, officials say.
The boats were caught in strong winds and torrential rain as they sailed
across Lake Togo, about 40km (25 miles) east of the capital, Lome.
Police say the victims were returning home from a funeral on the other side
of the lake.
Local official Akouete Edan said there were 21 survivors and that most of
those killed were students.
It is not known how many people were on board the boats, and a search is
continuing for further bodies.
"When the winds hit, the largest boat carrying some men and drums capsized
first," a survivor told a local radio station, according to the Reuters news
agency.
"Then two or three other smaller boats carrying women and children also
capsized," he said, adding that he had lost three of his children who were with
him.
Women's Minister Henriette Amedjogbe travelled with the prime minister to the
village of Agbodankope, where many of those killed came from.
"It is a real tragedy," she said, according to the AFP news agency.
"We came to bring you the support of the government and the Togolese
people."
No comments:
Post a Comment