Greater than 70 persons are lacking after the newest lethal boat accident in Nigeria’s north

ABUJA, Nigeria — Greater than 70 folks had been lacking on Monday after a ship capsized in northern Nigeria, in line with authorities who deplored the frequent lethal boat accidents in Africa’s most populous nation.

The boat was carrying merchants getting back from a fish market in Taraba state’s Ardo-Kola district late Saturday when it capsized on the Benue River, which is one among Nigeria’s largest, the nationwide emergency companies mentioned.

Greater than 100 passengers had been on board and 14 had been rescued, whereas 17 our bodies have been recovered and 73 persons are lacking, Ladan Ayuba, head of Nigeria’s Nationwide Emergency Administration Company, instructed The Related Press.

Taraba Gov. Agbu Kefas referred to as the accident a “monumental tragedy” and ordered using life jackets for boat passengers. “Our physique of water, which is without doubt one of the longest within the area, needs to be a veritable supply of wealth and never loss of life,” the governor mentioned, in line with an announcement issued Monday by his workplace.

Boat disasters are frequent in distant communities throughout the West African nation. That is the third involving greater than 100 passengers in simply 4 months. Most are attributed to overloading. Good, accessible roads are sometimes missing in these areas.

Authorities had been investigating the reason for this accident, mentioned Taraba police spokesperson Usman Abdullahi. Locals and fishermen had been serving to rescue businesses.

Abdullahi mentioned he feared that the operation may final for days as a result of the river is flowing at its highest degree.

“We don’t even count on to get the our bodies anyplace close to right here,” he mentioned.