Abuja: At least 10 people have been killed and 60 others are missing after a boat capsized in Nigeria’s southeastern Ambra state. Officials gave this information on Saturday.
The ship, with 85 people on board, capsized amid heavy flooding, trapping the passengers, Thikman Tanimu, regional coordinator National Emergency Management Agencytold Reuters.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma charles soludo A statement said 10 people had drowned. The head of the Ambara State Emergency Management Agency said 15 people had been rescued as of Saturday evening.
The incident took place between 11 am (1000.) GMT) and on Friday afternoon, the agency said.
Area resident and former local government leader Afma ojin Said that the boat’s engine failed and the waves overpowered it shortly after launch.
“It is a locally built boat that can carry over a hundred people, unfortunately its engine failed and a stampede occurred,” Ozin said.
Tanimu said a military disaster response unit of the Nigerian military was assisting in the search effort.
Anambra is among 29 of Nigeria’s 36 states that have faced heavy flooding this year. The water has washed away homes, crops and roads and affected at least five lakh people.
Ogen said the flood destroyed a major road connecting eight communities to the rest of the Ogbaru local government area, forcing residents to travel by boat.
Farmers say rising water will increase food bills in a country where millions have fallen into food poverty over the past two years.
The ship, with 85 people on board, capsized amid heavy flooding, trapping the passengers, Thikman Tanimu, regional coordinator National Emergency Management Agencytold Reuters.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma charles soludo A statement said 10 people had drowned. The head of the Ambara State Emergency Management Agency said 15 people had been rescued as of Saturday evening.
The incident took place between 11 am (1000.) GMT) and on Friday afternoon, the agency said.
Area resident and former local government leader Afma ojin Said that the boat’s engine failed and the waves overpowered it shortly after launch.
“It is a locally built boat that can carry over a hundred people, unfortunately its engine failed and a stampede occurred,” Ozin said.
Tanimu said a military disaster response unit of the Nigerian military was assisting in the search effort.
Anambra is among 29 of Nigeria’s 36 states that have faced heavy flooding this year. The water has washed away homes, crops and roads and affected at least five lakh people.
Ogen said the flood destroyed a major road connecting eight communities to the rest of the Ogbaru local government area, forcing residents to travel by boat.
Farmers say rising water will increase food bills in a country where millions have fallen into food poverty over the past two years.