… many feared killed in mishap
A passenger boat on Monday capsized in Gurin, a suburb of Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa state, on Monday, as several persons drowned as a result of the accident.
It was learnt that the victims, who were mostly women and children, were returning from farms and a naming ceremony when the wooden boat conveying them sank.
The accident occurred 48 hours after eight people died in a boat mishap in Rugange, Yola South Local Government Area of the state.
Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, confirmed the incident.
Mohammed said the accident occurred on Monday afternoon and that rescue efforts were ongoing.
The lawmaker representing Fufore/Gurin constituency at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Umar Bobbo Ismail, also confirmed the tragic incident.
One of the local divers involved in the rescue operations said that the incident could have been prevented if the passengers had used life jackets and observed other necessary safety measures.
He also urged government and relevant authorities to regularly maintain the waterways and provide safety equipment such as life jackets to prevent future occurrence.
The recurring cases of boat mishap has raised concerns about the safety of water transportation, particularly during the rainy season.
