The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has confirmed that eight passengers died in the boat mishap that occurred at Umumu Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The agency also said 38 persons were rescued, adding that 50 passengers were on board the ill-fated boat.
Going by NIWA’s figures of eight deaths and 38 survivors, it means that four persons are still missing or could not be accounted for.
In a statement signed by General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIWA, Jibril Darda’u, the incident that occurred in the morning hours of Friday involved a passenger boat travelling from Ida in Kogi State to Onitsha in Anambra State.
The statement noted that preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers.
NIWA explained that upon receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the Marine Department were deployed for rescue, recovery and proper investigation.
