Many feared dead as boat with 85 on board capsizes in Anambra

A boat has capsized in Anambra state, killing many passengers on board.

According to PUNCH, the incident occurred on Saturday morning.

The boat was said to be carrying 85 passengers.

The boat reportedly took off from Onukwu bridge and was heading to Nkwo market, Ogbakuba in Ogbaru LGA when it capsized.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying only nine persons have been rescued.

“An engine boat that loaded about 85 passengers at Onukwu bridge Ossomala enroute to Nkwo Ogbakuba market capsized this morning. Only nine passengers were rescued, the rest are yet to be seen,” a source was quoted as saying.

“I wasn’t there when the boat loaded but the information we got unofficially is that it loaded 85.”

Efforts to speak with Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson of the Anambra police command, to confirm the number of casualties were unsuccessful.

Similarly, officials of the State Emergency Management Authority are yet to ascertain the death toll from the incident.

Ogochukwu Nwasike, chairman of Ogbaru flood committee in Anambra, said since the incident happened, no government agency has visited the scene to help recover the bodies of the missing passengers.

“Therefore, I am calling on relevant authorities to come to Umunankwo village to help them recover the bodies of the missing persons,” he said.

“Some of them may be alive but delay may put their lives in danger.”

He said the flood had submerged the road leading to the village, making it impossible for rescuers to visit the scene.

Pascal Aniegbunam, transition committee chairman of Ogbaru LGA, said about 30 passengers lost their lives in the accident.

According to NAN, Aniegbunam said so far, 30 persons have been rescued, and 20 corpses recovered, while a search team is still looking for more bodies.

He said about 20 persons are still missing, adding that there is conflicting information on the number of passengers.

“The accident is painful and devastating, especially to the immediate families of the victims, the council and Anambra state,” he said.

“My condolences go to the affected families, Ogbaru communities and all the areas affected by flood disaster that has practically submerged and displaced thousands of people.”

Editor’s note: The featured image was used for illustrative purposes.