The ferry was travelling between Unguja and Pemba, two islands off the coast of mainland Tanzania, when it capsized.

Early estimates put the death toll at around 200, but a report published by the Tanzanian government in January 2012 claimed that over 1,500 people had been killed.

[5] In an investigative report published on 19 January 2012, these figures were revised downward, with 2,470 passengers, 203 confirmed dead, and 1,370 missing.

The survivors were rescued by ferries and brought back to Zanzibar's main harbour, in Stone Town.

"[7] Eight months later, the MV Skagit, another ferry, between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, also sank, also with large loss of life.