Two people, including a 47-year old Chinese tourist and 18-year old Tanzanian, drowned in different incidents in Dar es Salaam on Christmas Day.
Kinondoni Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Camilius Wambura
According to Kinondoni Regional Police Commander (RPC) Camilius Wambura, Ally Sheki, a resident of Banana in Ilala Municipality died at around 3pm while swimming with colleagues at Coco Beach in the Indian Ocean after succumbing to rough waves.
The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) has since Tuesday cautioned beach goers to exercise great care due to the possibility of strong winds and rough waves associated with the deepening of low pressure system in the Indian Ocean near The Comoros.
Mr Wambura also reported that a Chinese national, who was identified as Wang Ai Jian, drowned at the Golden Tool Hotel’s swimming pool in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday at around 1.30pm.
“The deceased had been swimming in the hotel when he failed to swim, lost control and drank lots of water in the process,” said RPC Wambura, adding that he was fished out of the pool by the police who rushed him to Ami Hospital in Msasani.
He was proclaimed dead on arrival. He said that the body was rescued by the police. Investigation is underway to establish the circumstances behind his death. Mr Wambura said that the body was taken to Mwananyamala Hospital for preservation pending burial arrangements.
Meanwhile, the police force has described the just ended Christmas celebration as the record-breaking merrymaking event without major crimes in the country.
In an interview with the ‘Daily News’, the force’s spokesperson, Ms Advera Senso, said the fact that such a big occasion was marked peacefully is something to be proud of.
“We are happy that the celebrations have ended without any major crime reported in big cities and even in upcountry. We are still intensifying security to ensure that calm prevails even after this festive season,” she said.
Ms Senso noted that it is the first Christmas celebration which has been crimefree, giving a picture that the police’s efforts to maintain peace in the country have been fruitful.
“There have been just minor cases reported unlike in previous years where we used to hear major cases related to armed robberies, killings and many others,” she observed.
“This year’s Christmas celebrations have helped us to know how far the people are aware of the significance of maintaining peace and security.
We are very thankful for this,” she added. Police officers were on Christmas Day deployed all over the city where they patrolled the roads on vehicles and on motorcycles.
Others patrolled recreational areas, including the beaches and social halls. A ‘Daily News’ survey also established the presence of anti-crime mobile police kiosks in many places, especially around the seaside in a move aimed at intensifying security in the city.
By CHRISTOPHER MAJALIWA and FATMA ABDU, Tanzania Daily News
