At least 10 people drowned and more than 60 are still missing. after what a boat capsized in the state of Anambra, in southeastern Nigeria, The emergency services informed EFE today.
“Unfortunately a boat carrying 85 passengers capsized in the surroundings of the community of Ogbaru on Friday. Until now 10 bodies have been recovered, while more than 60 have yet to be located.”Paul Odenigbo, secretary of the Anambra Emergency Management Agency, told EFE by phone.
Odenigbo also noted that no less than 15 people had been rescued and that the search for the missing was still in progress.
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However, Thickman Tanimu, coordinator in the southeast of the country for the National Emergency Management Agency, told EFE by telephone that only nine of the 85 passengers had been rescued.
“The information I have as of this morning is that nine people have been rescued while 76 are still missing,” Tanimu said, indicating that he does not know if bodies have been found.
On the other hand, a government official who requested anonymity told EFE that at least 15 bodies had been recovered, That had been rescued 15 people and that dozens were still missing.
“The floods have taken over the entire community of Ogbaru and rescue efforts are proving difficult,” added this source.
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Odeningo explained that the boat capsized after its engine failed, trapping passengers for hours.
The Ogbaru community, where the incident occurred, has suffered severe flooding lately and, according to Odenigbo, “the rising water level could have contributed to the incident.”
The governor of the state of Anambra, Chukwuma Soludo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and sympathized with the families of the victims by assuring that the Government would do everything possible to reduce the effects of the floods in the state.
Ship capsizes are frequent on Nigerian waterways Due to the overload and lack of maintenance, especially in the rainy season.
