At least 29 people have been confirmed dead while several others remain missing after a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The ill-fated boat, which reportedly set out from Tungan Sule in Shagunu Ward, was heading to Dugga community for a condolence visit when tragedy struck at Gausawa. Eyewitnesses said the vessel, which had mostly women and children on board, began to experience difficulties before it eventually capsized.
Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the accident occurred on Monday. He explained that preliminary findings showed that the mishap was caused by overloading and a collision with a submerged tree stump.
“Our desk officer who leads the search and rescue operations confirmed that the boat left Tungan Sule with 90 people on board, including women and children, on their way to Dugga for a condolence visit,” Arah stated.
He further disclosed that none of the passengers wore life jackets, despite repeated sensitization and government directives on water safety in the state.
“So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, 50 passengers rescued alive, while two people are still missing,” Arah added.
The NSEMA boss noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to recover the remaining victims.
