A boat accident in River Niger near Mmiata Anam, Anambra State, has reportedly claimed five Lives, with 30 people successfully rescued.
It was gathered that the boat was sailing from Kogi State to Anambra through the River Niger before it got capsized at the Mmiata banks of the river.
A source, in an interview with Punch Reporter declosed that the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, January 7.
The source disclosed that the deceased persons are yet to be identified, they were said to hail from a riverine part of Kogi State, and were travelling by water to Onitsha for various businesses.
The source said, “Most of the victims were women and children. Rescue operators who arrived the scene some moments later dived into the waters and recovered their lifeless bodies and they were deposited by the bank of the river. We were able to count over 10 lifeless bodies as rescue operations were still going on.”
The Anambra State Police Command spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed the incident when contacted, he noted that rescue operators were able to rescue about 30 persons, while five were already dead.
Ikenga said, “The situation is under control. Our marine operatives on getting the distress call about the incident responded swiftly.
“We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recovered the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.
“Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi State, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred.
“Meanwhile, the cause is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is ongoing, please.”
When also contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Authority, Chinyere Nwoye, said the agency was making contact to identify the victims.
“We are making contact and we have also called the police. We heard that the victims were mostly from Kogi. But we plan to visit the here.”
