The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said that the boat accident at Umumu Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State occurred because the wooden engine rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized.
The authority disclosed that about 50 passengers were on board, adding that eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIWA, Jibril Darda’u, on Sunday.
Darda’u said the incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi state to Onitsha in Anambra state.
Although he said the incident occurred between Thursday and Friday, the bodies of the victims, mainly women and children, were recovered on Sunday morning.
It also added that the recovery efforts were still ongoing and the authority will provide detailed information to the public as soon as the field officers report back to the headquarters.
