44 people have been confirmed dead so far, following the capsizing of Tanzanian ferry MV Nyerere in Lake Victoria, which overturned just a few metres from shore.

According to Tanzanian authorities 37 people have been rescued alive but rescue operations have been called off this evening due to darkness until tomorrow morning. The death toll is expected to rise.

MV Nyerere operates between Bugora and Ukala Islands in Mwanza.

In 2011, another ferry MV Spice sank off the coast of Zanzibar with about 2,000 on board.

This was after the 1996 MV Bukoba tragedy, touted as the biggest sea disaster recorded in the country and also said to be among the worst in Africa. The Bukoba tragedy killed atleast 800 people.