Not less than 27 useless, over 100 lacking in Nigeria boat tragedy | World Information

Not less than 27 folks died and greater than 100, largely girls, have been lacking on Friday, after a ship transporting them to a meals market capsized alongside the River Niger in northern Nigeria, authorities mentioned.

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About 200 passengers have been on the boat that was going from the state of Kogi to neighbouring state of Niger when it capsized, the Niger State Emergency Administration Company spokesman Ibrahim Audu advised The Related Press.

Rescuers managed to drag 27 our bodies from the river by Friday night whereas native divers have been nonetheless looking for others, in accordance with Sandra Musa, spokeswoman for the Kogi state emergency companies.

No survivor was discovered about 12 hours after the incident occurred, she added.

Authorities haven’t confirmed what precipitated the sinking however native media recommended the boat could have been overloaded. Overcrowding on boats is frequent in distant components of Nigeria the place the dearth of excellent roads leaves many with no various routes.

In response to Justin Uwazuruonye, who’s accountable for Nigeria’s Nationwide Emergency Administration Company operations within the state, rescuers had hassle discovering the situation of the capsizing for hours after Friday’s tragedy struck.

Such lethal incidents are more and more changing into a supply of concern in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, as authorities battle to implement security measures and laws for water transportation.

Many of the accidents have been attributed to overcrowding and the dearth of upkeep of the boats, typically constructed domestically to accommodate as many passengers as doable in defiance of security measures.

Additionally, authorities haven’t been capable of implement using life jackets on such journeys, typically due to lack of availability or price.