ZANZIBAR: At least 43 people died when a ferry capsized off Zanzibar, but 259 have people have so far been rescued, a minister in the semi-autonomous archipelago said Saturday.

“So far we have recovered 43 people who died, but we have rescued 259 survivors,” said Mohammed Aboud, Zanzibar's state minister for emergencies, adding that 40 of those rescued were seriously injured.

“We have asked for emergency assistance from Dar es Salaam, including divers, to help in the rescue efforts,” Aboud told AFP.

The MV Spice Islander which was travelling between Zanzibar's main island Unguja and Pemba, two of the three islands that make up Zanzibar, had left Unguja around 9:00 pm and capsized four hours later.

The exact number of passengers on this type of ferry is often difficult to establish as no reliable passenger lists are kept.

No foreigners have so far been reported amongst either the dead or rescued, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.