Thirty people were rescued from a boat accident in Anambra State that claimed the lives of five people in the early hours of Sunday.
According to reports, the victims travelled across the River Niger from Kogi State to Anambra, where they tragically perished.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning, according to a source from Anambra West Local Government Area’s riverine area.
According to a video provided to newsmen, women and children made up the majority of the victims.
The deceased were reported to be from a riverine area of Kogi State and were travelling to Onitsha for business purposes, though their identities were still unknown at the time of publication.
“Early this morning, a boat that capsized on River Niger. Some of the victims are from parts of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, according to the eye witnesses,” a source said.
Police authorities in Anambra State confirmed the incident, saying that operatives rushed to the scene of the incident after receiving a distress call, adding that 30 persons were rescued.
Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, said: “The situation is under control. Our marine operatives on getting the distress call about the incident responded swiftly. We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recover the five bodies as well as the capsized boat.
“Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi State, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred. Meanwhile, the cause is yet to be ascertained, as the investigation is ongoing.”
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