In a tragic turn of events, a boat carrying over a hundred passengers capsized in the early hours of Sunday morning on the Niger River in Nigeria, leaving at least 64 people dead and several others missing. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as rescue teams are still working diligently to locate and retrieve victims.
Witnesses reported that the overcrowded boat was on its way from Jebba to Lokoja when it overturned, plunging passengers into the chilling waters of the river. The incident occurred around 2 AM, making it difficult for many to swim to safety due to the darkness and the strong currents of the river.
The Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that the boat was overloaded, a common practice among ferry services in the region due to high demand and inadequate safety regulations.
The incident has sparked outrage among the public, with many calling for stricter safety measures and better enforcement of passenger limits on these boats. This is not the first boat tragedy in Nigeria, with similar incidents occurring frequently due to unsafe conditions and overcrowding.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered the relevant authorities to take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is coordinating the search and rescue efforts, with support from local volunteers and security forces.
As the search continues, the families of the missing passengers are left in a state of despair, hoping for any news of their loved ones. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the importance of safety measures and the need for stricter regulations in the transportation sector.