Vaal boat tragedy: Pregnant woman, three-year-old among four victims

Tragedy struck when four family members, including a pregnant woman and a three-year-old child, died after their boat capsized on the Vaal River, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday afternoon.

It was supposed to be a special day for the family as they were spending the day on the boat for a birthday party.

Vaal River boat tragedy

In total, there were 10 family members onboard the motorboat when the tragic accident occurred.

Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said the police have opened an inquest docket for investigation.

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“People who witnessed the incident, went to rescue the victims, but unfortunately four of the family members passed away, including a three-year-old child and a pregnant woman. The six victims who survived, were taken to the nearest medical care centre for treatment and trauma counselling,” said Masondo.

Migrant deaths

Meanwhile, 14 people died in July when their wooden boat overturned in Dakar, Senegal, according to AFP.

They appeared to be migrants.

A wooden boat, which several witnesses on the beach said had been carrying the victims, could be seen floating near the shore.

Dozens of onlookers watched the scene unfold.

One of them, 23-year-old Amndy Moustapha Sene, said he dreamt of becoming a professional footballer and playing in Europe.

“I dream of going to Europe because there is no future here. I was ready to board a pirogue, but now I’ve decided to emigrate legally when the opportunity arises,” he said, because the boats were too risky.

READ ALSO: Fourteen die in boat capsize off Senegal capital

Activity had increased along the Atlantic sea route from northwest Africa used by migrants trying to reach Europe via Spain’s Canary Islands.

Morocco’s navy said it had rescued nearly 900 irregular migrants in a one-week period and most were from sub-Saharan Africa.

• Additional reporting by AFP