In a heartbreaking incident early Friday morning, a boat carrying over 200 passengers capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
The vessel, reportedly owned by a local operator named Musa Dangana, was en route to the Katcha weekly market with a mix of market women and farm laborers onboard.
Eyewitnesses report that the boat suddenly overturned, throwing all passengers into the water.
Local divers have since been engaged in frantic rescue efforts to recover victims.
As of now, eight bodies have been found, while dozens of others remain unaccounted for.
This tragedy follows a similar boat mishap on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Niger State’s Mokwa Local Government Area on October 1, 2024, which claimed numerous lives.
In both cases, the absence of life jackets among passengers has been noted as a significant factor in the high casualty rates.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but investigations into the cause of the latest accident are expected.
The devastating event highlights ongoing safety concerns in riverine transport within the region.
Rescue operations continue, and updates will be provided as more information emerges.
Stay tuned for more from NIGPOST, your trusted source for timely news updates.
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