By Editor
No fewer than 33 persons, including women and children, have reportedly drowned after a boat conveying over 50 passengers capsized on River Kaduna in Niger State.
It was gathered that the boat capsized on Friday night between Danchitagi village in Lavun Local Government and Gbara, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
Our Correspondent learnt that some passengers were traders returning from a weekly Danchitagi market while others were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony in the neighbouring communities.
17 out of over 50 persons in the boat have been rescued so far as rescued.
“For now, out of over 50 passengers in that boat, only 17 people have been rescued alive. We believe the rest are no more alive because they have been in the water for several hours. The water level is also high now because of rainfall. We are still doing our best to look for the remaining people. But the chance of their survival is not assured,” One of the local divers told the press.
Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, the Director General (DG) of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident but could not give details of casualties.
According to him, the agency had launched rescue operations.
Friday’s boat tragedy in Niger is coming just five days after 76 people died when a boat capsized in a flood-swollen river in Anambra State.
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