5 individuals have been confirmed useless and thirty others rescued in a boating accident that occurred within the Niger River round Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Native Authorities Space of Anambra State.
It was gathered that the boat was touring from Kogi State to Anambra through River Niger earlier than capsizing on the banks of River Mmiata.
A supply within the Rivers space of the group advised our correspondent that the incident befell on Sunday morning.
A video made accessible to PUNCH Metro The supply confirmed that the useless have been primarily ladies and youngsters.
Though the deceased individuals haven’t been recognized, they’re stated to have originated from a riverine a part of Kogi State and have been touring to Onitsha by water for numerous enterprise.
The supply stated: “Early this morning there was a ship that capsized on the Niger River. A few of the victims are from elements of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Native Authorities Space.
“Many of the victims have been ladies and youngsters. Rescuers who arrived on the scene moments later dived into the water and retrieved their lifeless our bodies, dropping them off on the riverbank. We may depend greater than ten lifeless our bodies whereas rescue operations have been nonetheless underway.”
The spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted, confirmed the incident, saying the officers acquired a misery name and rushed to the scene of the incident.
Ikenga, nonetheless, added that rescuers have been in a position to save about 30 folks, whereas 5 have been already useless.
Ikenga stated: “The scenario is underneath management. Our Marine officers responded shortly after they acquired the emergency name concerning the incident.
“We have been in a position to rescue greater than thirty passengers alive and recovered the 5 lifeless our bodies from the depths of the ocean and the capsized boat.
“Preliminary data revealed that the boat was from Kogi State and was carrying items and passengers earlier than the unlucky incident occurred.
“In the meantime, the trigger is but to be decided because the investigation is ongoing.”
When additionally contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Administration Authority, Chinyere Nwoye, stated the company was in contact to establish the victims.
“We made contact and in addition referred to as the police. We heard that the victims have been primarily from Kogi. However we plan to go to right here.”
In the meantime, the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone, which additionally covers the group the place the incident occurred, Tony Nwoye, lamented the boat accident whereas commiserating with the kin of the victims.
Nwoye primarily based the reason for the accident on the dearth of correct transportation system, whereas including that he would provide speedboats to river residents underneath his constituency.
