The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, confirmed on Sunday that about eight people died and 38 others were rescued in a boat incident in Anambra State.
Although the Anambra State Police Command reported that five people died and 30 were rescued, Alhaji Jibril Darda’u, NIWA General Manager, Corporate Affairs, confirmed eight deaths in a statement made in Lokoja on Sunday.
Darda’u stated that the “sad and unfortunate” occurrence occurred in Umumu Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, “between Thursday and Friday”.
“The authority sincerely commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and prays to God to grant rest to their souls,” he said.
According to him, preliminary reports indicated that the “wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with 50 passengers on board.
“From the records, eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.
“The sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi to Onitsha in Anambra,” he added.