Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
27

I love this story. I've followed the story of this boat since the first post on Thorn Tree I read when someone wanted to know if the Liemba was still on Lake Tanganyika....and now this story:
http://gcaptain.com/refugee-rescue-100-year-old-ship-ferries-thousands-to-safety/

" Kagunga is a small Tanzanian village close to the border with Burundi. Wedged between a steep mountain range and the waters of Lake Tanganyika, it has little access to other parts of Tanzania except by boat. And so, almost overnight, this sleepy fishing community has become the focal point of a humanitarian crisis.

Local immigration authorities report that 47,000 Burundian refugees have arrived here in recent weeks. As conditions grew increasingly crowded, some began falling ill with acute watery diarrhoea and cholera, setting in motion a round-the-clock boatlift to help them reach safety."
and there's more to the story, click the link.

Report
1
In response to #0

I remember Captain Titus so well from my trip on the amazing MV Liemba in 2013. He is such a friendly man who would always stop for a chat so I can just imagine him rescuing all these poor people and getting them safely to Kigoma. My trip from Kigoma to Kasanga will always be one of the high lights of my travels.

Report
2

Thanks alcotteer, great to hear your comments.

Report
3

And the rescue efforts continue....
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/05/saving-burundi-refugees-wwi-german-warship-150525082525543.html

Report
4

The crew must be exhausted, what an heroic effort.
I was thinking of going to Kigoma again in Aug but it sounds like it is coping with more than enough people already!

Report
5

This from the FB page, posted today:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liemba/151863798343095?fref=nf
"Hi All. So, The Liemba was stopped sailing her usual schedule, to assist in the Burundese Refugee problem.

The GREAT news is that she is sailing again!

Until further notice, she SHOULD be leaving Kigoma, every SECOND week, starting from 1st July 2015

...We hope this helps everyone in theri planning!!"

Report
6

Thanks for the update.

Report
7

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner