221 missing, 8 dead in Sierra Leone shipwreckPolice say many passengers were schoolchildren returning from holidaysFREETOWN, Sierra Leone - More than 200 people remained missing Thursday, a day after a wooden boat capsized in the West African nation and left at least eight dead, police said.
Many of the passengers were schoolchildren returning from holidays, police official Ibrahim Samura said. At least 221 people were missing but 39 passengers had been rescued, he added.
The boat was traveling from the village of Shenge to Tombo, near Freetown, when the accident occurred Wednesday.
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In addition to the at least 268 people aboard, the Teh Teh was carrying goods.
Deputy Police Inspector General Morie Lengor said investigators believed the incident may be linked to "overloading or engine failure."
The boat has been found afloat, Samura said, and search and rescue operations were continuing in the area Thursday.