Many feared dead as boat with over 100 passengers capsizes in Taraba

Many feared dead as boat with over 100 passengers capsizes in Taraba

A boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized mid water at Benue river on Saturday.

It was learnt that traders, women and children, heading for Binnari town in Karim-Lamido local government area of the state were on the ill-fated boat.

Many of the passengers were returning from Mayoreneyo fish market in Ardo-Kola LGA.

The boat left Mayoreneyo local jetty at about 3.30pm and capsized 40 minutes later, according to sources.

A resident of Mayoreneyo, Musa Mayoreneyo, told Daily Trust that the ill-fated boat had earlier conveyed the passengers from Binnari to Mayoreneyo.

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In a telephone interview, a resident of Binnari, said, “As l am talking to you now, only bodies of two persons were recovered by local divers.”

A source at the Mayoreneyo local jetty said that none of the passengers had life jacket when the incident occurred.

Acting chairman of inland water transporters in Taraba state, Jidda Mayoreneyo, said about 15 bodies were recovered close to the scene.

Confirming the incident, Chairman, caretaker committee of Ardo-Kola, Dalhatu Kawu, described it as tragic.

When contacted, Police spokesman in Taraba, SP Abdullahi Usman, said he was yet to receive report of incident.

Many feared dead as boat with over 100 passengers capsizes in Taraba

(DAILY TRUST)