In a devastating incident, five individuals lost their lives in the early hours of Sunday when a boat capsized in Anambra State. The victims, who were mainly women and children, had reportedly embarked on a journey from Kogi State to Anambra through the River Niger.
The tragic event occurred in the riverine area of Anambra West Local Government Area on Sunday morning. A source revealed that the victims, yet to be identified at the time of reporting, hailed from a riverine part of Kogi State and were en route to Onitsha for business activities.
A video capturing the aftermath of the accident highlighted the somber scene as authorities worked to rescue survivors. The Anambra State Police, responding to a distress call, confirmed the incident and detailed that 30 individuals were successfully rescued from the capsized boat.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), provided information on the tragic incident. He stated, “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 recover the five bodies as well as the capsized boat.”
Preliminary findings suggest that the boat, originating from Kogi State and carrying goods and passengers, met an unfortunate fate. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, with ongoing investigations aimed at shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
As Anambra State grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident, questions remain about the safety and regulations governing water transportation in the region.
