146 presumed dead in ferry accident

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – Tanzania’s government Saturday halted rescue operations for a ferry accident that appears to have killed 146 people.

Government officials said 69 passengers were confirmed dead and 77 were still missing. Rescue efforts were called off because it was unlikely that any passengers would be found alive in the Indian Ocean.

The ferry MV Skagit, which capsized Wednesday, was carrying 291 passengers, although it had only been certified to carry 250, he added.

A total of 145 passengers were rescued after the accident.