11 persons die in Adamawa boat accident
11 persons die in Adamawa boat accident
Eleven persons have been confirmed killed in another boat accident on Monday, September 11, in Adamawa State, barely two days after the state government mourned the death of scores who died in the Benue River.
The latest boat crash, as gathered by The PUNCH, occurred in Kwatan Mallam Adamu in Gurin village, in the Fufore Local Government Area.
Local residents reportedly claimed 11 persons drowned in the accident.
Monday’s boat accident is coming barely two days after the Rugange occurrence where scores were feared dead.
A resident, Dahiru Gurin, who spoke to our reporter, said the accident involved farmers who were returning home from their farm.
He said, ” The latest deadly boat capsize happened on Monday afternoon when farmers were scampering to reach home to escape the coming rains.
“About 40 passengers including women and children crammed into the boat to get home before today’s downpour.
“Unfortunately, midway, strong wind and thunderstorm set in, causing the boat to capsize. 20 persons are believed to be missing.
“A mother who held up her infant on the surface of the water drowned, but the baby was saved by a diver. I think those who were rescued are not more than 20,” Gurin told our correspondent.
“Only one child of mine was rescued, all the rest of my family members have drowned,” Mai-nama lamented.
The Information Officer, Fufore Local Council, Jngai Abdullahi, confirmed that 11 bodies had so far been recorded.
“As of now, local divers have recovered 11 dead bodies,” Abdullahi said.
The Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Suleiman Muhammad, also confirmed the boat accident.
He said, “There was a boat capsize in Gurin, because when it happened, they called to inform me. But I can’t give the exact casualty unless I get the report of my assessment team.”
Last Saturday, the deputy governor of the state, Kaletapwa Farauta, visited the earlier accident site and directed ADSEMA officials to identify all crossing points in the state, so that lifejackets would be provided for passengers.
This is just as officials of the state emergency management agency also asked operators of inland waterways in the state to avoid overloading in bad weather periods.
Credit: Punch Newspaper
