Italy's president Sergio Mattarella on Friday sent condolences for the disaster on Lake Victoria when an overloaded ferry capsized, in which over 200 people are feared to have drowned.
"I learned with deep sadness of the 'Nyerere' ferry's sinking (on Thursday) near the island of Ukala," Mattarella wrote in a message to Tanzania's president John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.
"In these tragic circumstances, Italy stands close to its friend the Tanzanian people and its thoughts are with the victims families and those who are missing and injured," Mattarella went on.
"Please accept Mr President the most sincere condolences from the Italian people and from me personally," the message concluded.