Nigeria Boat Accident Kills At Least 76 Fleeing Floodwater
Date
10/10/2022 12:56:14 AM
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
At least 76 people have been reported dead after a boat accident
in Nigeria's south-eastern state of Anambra, reports citing
.
The boat, which was carrying at least 80 people, capsized on
Friday in the Ogbaru area in Anambra state.
Most of the victims were women and children, trying to reach
safety after their community had been inundated by floodwater.
President Muhammadu Buhari offered his condolences to the
families of the victims in the 'tragic' accident.
He also ordered a review of safety measures across the country's
water transport system, and said emergency services must do
everything to account for those missing.
Mr Buhari called on government agencies 'to check the safety
protocols on these transport ferries to make sure such incidents
are avoided in the future'.
Local media reports say those aboard the boat were heading to
the Nkwo market in Ogbakuba before it capsized. Some officials said
the boat had suffered an engine failure and hit a bridge before
capsizing.
Thickman Tanimu, south-east coordinator of the National
Emergency Management Agency, told the AFP news agency: 'The water
level is very high and too risky for a smooth search and rescue
operation'.
Anambra governor Charles Soludo added that the accident had been
a shock the both residents and the state's government, offering his
sympathies to the victim's families.
Boat accidents are relatively common in Nigeria, although most
are blamed on overloading or poor safety measures.
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