Five persons have been rescued and nine bodies recovered from the boat accident that occurred on Sunday in the Mashayar Yandaga River in the Gummi Local Area of Zamfara State.
The boat involved in the accident was carrying over 40 passengers, mostly farmers and crewmen, when it capsized due to overload and high river currents.
Following the accident, rescuers consisting mostly of local divers and fishermen were mobilised and managed to rescue 5 alive. Sadly, 9 bodies of the passengers have been recovered so far, while search and rescue operations are continuing.
However, other passengers, comprising men, women, and children, remain unaccounted for.
Communities situated downstream along the river channel have been alerted to help look for bodies that may be floating to their location.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through its Sokoto Operation Office in conjunction with Zamfara State Emergency Agency, Gummi Local Government authorities, community leaders, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders are involved in the operation and carried out an assessment of the disaster.
The Director General NEMA Mrs Zubaida Umar commiserated with the Government and People of Zamfara State over the incident and advised boat operators to adhere to safety measures in the conduct of their activities.
