At least 60 dead after boat sinks in Nigeria, officials say

Niger State exigency rescue officials said the overloaded vas sunk aft striking a submerged histrion stump.

At slightest 60 radical person died and dozens much person been rescued aft a vessel carrying much than 100 passengers capsized successful Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, according to section officials.

The vas departed from the municipality of Tungan Sule successful Malale territory astatine astir 11am section clip (10:00 GMT) connected Tuesday morning, and was heading towards the municipality of Dugga connected Nigeria’s Kainji reservoir.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said connected Wednesday that the incidental occurred erstwhile a vas struck a submerged histrion stump adjacent the Gausawa assemblage successful Borgu Local Government Area.

“The origin was attributed to overloading and collision with a histrion stump,” the bureau told section newspaper, Daily Trust.

NSEMA said women and children were connected committee the vessel, which it said was heading to Dugga for a “condolence visit”.

Abdullahi Baba Ara, NSEMA’s manager wide and seat of Borgu Local Government Area, said the fig of casualties was inactive rising portion rescue operations were continuing “for imaginable betterment of missing persons”.

“The decease toll of the vessel incidental has risen to 60,” helium told the Reuters quality agency.

“Ten radical person been recovered successful superior condition, and galore are inactive being sought,” helium added.

Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the territory caput of Shagumi, who was astatine the country soon aft the mishap occurred, said the vessel was carrying “more than 100 people”.

“We were capable to retrieve 31 corpses from the river. The vessel was besides recovered and removed,” helium told Reuters.

Women and children made up the bulk of the deceased, Muhammad said. He added that 4 victims person already been buried successful accordance with Islamic rites.

Boat accidents are predominant successful Nigeria’s riverine communities – particularly during the rainy play from March to October, erstwhile rivers and lakes overflow – owed to lax information enforcement, overcrowding and poorly maintained vessels.

In August, much than 40 radical were declared missing aft a boat capsized successful Nigeria’s northwestern authorities of Sokoto, besides owed to overloading.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies