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ICYMI: Lamentations as 103 Killed in Boat Accident in Kwara State
At least 103 people were killed in a boat accident on Thursday in Kwara State. The boat was carrying passengers from Jebba to Oyun Local Government Area of the state when it capsized.
While speaking on the matter, the Police Command in Kwara has confirmed that 103 persons died in a boat accident at Egbu village, in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara. The spokesperson of the Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
The deceased reportedly met their end after the boat conveying them while returning from a marriage ceremony capsized. The tragic incident has cast an ominous cloud of sorrow and despair on the village. Mr Okasanmi said the names of the survivors would be published soon.
The boat, which was overloaded with passengers, capsized in the River Niger around 7:30 p.m. local time. The boat was reportedly carrying about 270 passengers, but only 167 were rescued.
The Transition Implementation Committee Chairman in Patigi, Mohammed Liman, put the number of passengers that died in the accident at 110.
Mr Liman, while quoting from a statement by one Bala Mohammed, a community leader in the area, said, “About 110 people died in the boat mishap in our area.
“We’re going to tell you about the tragedy and unforgettable memory that occurred to my people from our village and other neighbouring villages close to us.
“Our village people went to a wedding ceremony in another village called Gboti and the boat carried about 270 people, and almost 110 people were lost.”
“This is an unforgettable memory and tragedy in the history of our village,” he said.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is believed that the boat may have capsized due to overloading or bad weather conditions. It has caused widespread grief and mourning in Kwara State. The state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has declared a three-day mourning period for the victims.
Furthermore, the boat accident in Kwara state is the latest in a series of tragedies to hit Nigeria in recent months. In April, a plane crash killed 112 people in Kaduna State. In March, a building collapse killed over 200 people in Lagos State. These tragedies have raised concerns about safety standards in Nigeria. The government has vowed to take steps to improve safety standards and prevent future tragedies.
The boat accident is a reminder of the dangers of travel in Nigeria. Travellers should always be aware of the risks and take precautions to stay safe.