About 33 persons, including women and children, have reportedly drowned or missing after a boat carrying over 50 passengers capsized on River Kaduna in Niger State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday night, October 14.
The boat was said to have been carrying passengers between Danchitagi village in Lavun Local Government and Gbara, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
Some of the passengers were said to be traders returning from a weekly Danchitagi market while others were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony in the neighbouring communities.
According to one of the locals;
“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.”
Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, who confirmed the incident, said the agency had launched rescue operations with a view to saving the lives of the victims.
District Head of Gbara, Alhaji Mohammed Saba, who also confirmed the incident, said the no fewer than 60 passengers were in the boat.
