Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has revealed that twelve people involved in a boat accident in Borgu local government are still missing.
The boat carrying an estimated 100 passengers departed from the state’s Borgu LG in Dugga Mashaya.
When the boat overturned, it was also carrying cargo and was sailing for the Wara market in Kebbi State.
According to Platinum Times, at least eight passengers three men and five women were confirmed.
When approached by the media, the Agency’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Hussain, stated that the rescue squad is currently looking for the other twelve missing people while eleven people have been pulled alive from the river.
He disclosed that the overcrowding of passengers, the weighty bags of grains and sugar cane, and the powerful waves were the causes of the boat tragedy.
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.