Wednesday, July 18th, 2012, A ferry known as the MV Karama Star Gate that was carrying several hundred people off the coast of Tanzania flipped over due to winds and high waves. The Tanzanian government reports that thirty-seven people are confirmed dead, over 100 people are still missing and over 145 have been rescued. Rescue efforts have been affected by rough weather.
The ship capsized as it was carrying people to the island of Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam. This is the second time a Zanzibar ferry has capsized in less than a year. The last time resulted in several people including the captain being charged with negligence and murder charges due to the vessel being overloaded with passengers.
Zanzibar is an island off of Tanzania–a country located in East Africa. Zanzibar is a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists. It is known for its beautiful beaches, old architecture and fishing villages.
Maritime accidents off the Coast of Africa may be affected by African laws as well as Maritime Laws. If you are involved in a maritime accident while traveling or on vacation, you should consult a Maritime lawyer to determine what your rights are.
