An engineer aboard a doomed ferry that capsized in Tanzania miraculously survived for about two days thanks to an air pocket inside the overcrowded vessel, officials said Saturday.

The glimmer of good news came as the death toll soared past 200 and search efforts focused on identifying bodies.

Rescue workers found the survivor — Alphonce Charahani — near the engine of the upturned MV Nyerere ferry, which capsized on Thursday in Lake Victoria.

Local lawmaker Joseph Mkundi said Charahani had locked himself into a special room, though details of the ordeal weren’t clear.

Mkundi said there were 41 known survivors. The ferry may have been carrying up to four times the max capacity of 100 passengers.

Transport Minister Isack Kamwelwe reported 209 people dead, 172 of whom have been identified by loved ones.