The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed that a boat accident in Anambra State resulted in the deaths of eight people, while 38 others were rescued.
The Anambra State Police Command initially reported five deaths and 30 rescues, but NIWA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Jibril Darda’u, stated that eight people had died in the incident.
Darda’u said the “sad and unfortunate” incident happened at Umumu Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, ”between Thursday and Friday.”
“The authority sincerely commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and prays to God to grant rest to their souls,” he said.
Early reports, according to him, indicated that the “wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with 50 passengers on board.
“From the records, eight people were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.
“The sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi to Onitsha in Anambra,” he added.
