- The boat, which had 100 passengers onboard and also loaded with goods, was heading towards Wara market in Kebbi State when tragedy occurred
At least eight persons have been confirmed dead in last Monday’s boat accident in Borgu local government area of Niger state.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the deceased passengers are five females and three males.
Within Nigeria had reported how the boat which took off from Dugga Mashaya, Borgu LG of the state, capsized
The boat, which had 100 passengers onboard and also loaded with goods, was heading towards Wara market in Kebbi State when the tragedy occurred.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the NSEMA, Ibrahim Hussain, disclosed that twelve persons are still yet to be accounted for.
He stated that eleven persons have so far been rescued alive from the river by the rescue team while search for the missing passengers is ongoing.
He revealed that the boat accident was caused by the overloading of travellers, heavy luggage of grains and sugar cane as well as strong waves.
According to him, “The incident occurred between 10 and 11am when a passenger boat with a Capacity of 100 passengers was overloaded with People and Commodity heading to Wara market in Kebbi State, the Boat left Kunduga Mashaya and Capsized around Tungan leda due to strong wave and overloading”.
“Search and rescue team and some local divers promptly swung into action and were able to rescue 11 people alive as of 16th of January, 2024. Eight dead bodies were recovered while 12 people are still missing”
” And, no recovery after the initial eight bodies were recovered, it was said to be the usual occurrences due to the harmattan”
He said the accident would have been avoided had the operator listened to the warning against exposing the already worn-out boat which had undergone many repairs to excessive loads
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