Over 100 individuals tragically lost their lives when a boat overturned in Nigeria
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Loading... - Ruhi Chawla
- 14 Jun 2023
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The incident occurred in northern Nigeria as the boat, transporting residents who were returning from a wedding, capsized on the Niger River in the Pategi district of Kwara state. The neighboring Niger state was in close proximity. Authorities and local residents have launched an intensive search and rescue operation to find any survivors.
According to Okasanmi Ajayi, the spokesperson for the state's police, the boat capsized early on Monday. On Tuesday, Ajayi reported, "At this point, we have confirmed the death of 103 people, with over 100 individuals rescued from the boat accident. The ongoing search and rescue efforts imply that the number of casualties is likely to increase."
Usman Ibrahim, a resident, stated that the victims, including women and children, were returning from a wedding held in the village of Egboti, located in Niger state. It remains uncertain if any survivors have been found. Ibrahim explained, "Upon disembarking, the passengers planned to take their bikes to their respective communities. The boat was carrying over 100 people when it sank."
The timing of the accident, around 3 am local time (02:00 GMT), contributed to the high number of drowning victims. Due to the early hour, many were unaware of the incident until several hours later. Ibrahim added, "Even now, the search for some bodies is ongoing."
