Five Rescued, Nine Bodies Recovered In Zamfara Boat Accident
The boat involved in the accident was carrying over 40 passengers, mostly farmers and crewmen when it capsized.
Five persons have been rescued and nine bodies recovered from the boat accident that occurred on Sunday in Mashayar Yandaga river in Gummi Local Area of Zamfara State.
A statement by National Emergency Management Agency’s Manzo Ezekiel on Tuesday said the boat involved in the accident was carrying over 40 passengers, mostly farmers and crewmen when it capsized as a result of overload and high river current.
The statement was released after NEMA through its Sokoto Operation Office in conjunction with Zamfara State Emergency Agency, Gummi Local Government authorities, community leaders, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders involved in the operation, assessed the disaster.
Following the accident, rescuers consisting mostly of local divers and fishermen were mobilised and managed to rescue five alive.
According to NEMA, nine bodies of passengers have been recovered so far, while search and rescue operations is continuing.
Other passengers comprising men, women, and children remain unaccounted for.
Communities situated downstream along the river channel have been alerted to help in looking out for bodies that may later float to their locations.
The Director General NEMA Zubaida Umar commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara State over the incident.
She advised boat operators to adhere to safety measures in the conduct of their activities.
