Tragedy Strikes as Boat Carrying Over 200 Passengers Capsizes on River Niger
A devastating boat accident occurred on the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of River Niger, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Friday, has resulted in the loss of numerous lives.
This is the second such incident in recent weeks, following a tragic event on October 1, 2024, when a boat capsized on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, resulting in the loss of many lives.
A boat operated by Musa Dangana was said to be carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm laborers, en route to the Katcha weekly market when the tragedy struck. Unfortunately, the boat capsized, sending all on board into the water. Local dive teams are working tirelessly to rescue those in distress and recover the bodies of the victims.
As of the time of this report, eight bodies have been recovered and confirmed deceased, with search and rescue operations ongoing to locate the remaining passengers. It’s worth noting that preliminary investigations suggest that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident, which may have exacerbated the high number of casualties.
The authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, as the investigation into the tragedy continues.
