Fears for 250 as Tanzania ferry sinks off Zanzibar

Arusha, 18 Jul – (ANA) - A Tanzanian ferry carrying at least 250 people has sunk near the island of Zanzibar. An operation to rescue those on board is being organised by the navy and police. The boat had left the city of Dar es Salaam earlier in the day. The navy said the vessel, the MV Skagit, got into difficulty because of strong winds. Last September, nearly 200 people died when an overcrowded boat with 800 people aboard sank off Zanzibar. The journey usually takes about two hours. Thirty-one children are believed to have been on board, our reporter says. (ANA)

FA/ANA/18 July 2012--------