English
Kinyarwanda
The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Marine Unit has advised all people using water transport and other businesses in water bodies to always wear life jackets for their safety.
The fresh reminder follows incidents in Lake Burera on Saturday when two boats capsized.
Marine Unit Commanding Officer (CO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye said that earlier that morning at about 5am, two boats left Kinyababa sector carrying traders going to Kirambo market, with their goods.
One of the boats carried five people, while three others were in the second boat.
"The boats were washed away by strong wind and capsized. All traders who had life jackets survived and were rescued. However, one mother and her one-and-half year old child drowned," ACP Mwesigye said.
The body of the child was recovered while search for the mother is still underway.
The CO explained that the deceased was trying to withdraw the child from the back so as to swim and both drowned in the process.
"Everyone using water transport or any business in waters, like fishing, must wear a life jacket as a policy; that jacket is your life when in waters, so no one should be forced to wear it... it should be your primary responsibility to take your safety first," ACP Mwesigye emphasized.
He further urged those using water transport to always not force through bad weather, which is risky.
