Abuja, Nigeria – (African Boulevard News) – Families in Nigeria are in mourning as the death toll from the boat capsize in Kwara State continues to rise. The latest update from the disaster reveals that 106 people have lost their lives, with more still missing. The tragedy has left the entire nation in shock, and rescue teams are continuing their efforts to find more survivors.
The incident occurred on June 14, when a boat carrying passengers traveling from one community to another capsized in the north-central state. According to reports, the boat was overloaded and had several safety issues, which resulted in the accident. More than half of the people on board the boat lost their lives, leaving families devastated.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed his condolences and described the incident as “devastating.” He assured the families of the victims that the government is doing everything within its power to provide support and assistance. “We stand with families and communities affected by this tragedy and urge them to remain calm as rescue operations continue,” he said.
The search-and-rescue teams have been working tirelessly to find more survivors, but the chances of finding anyone alive after three days are slim. One of the rescue workers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “We have been searching for victims since the incident occurred, but so far, we have recovered over 100 bodies. It is a sad situation, and we are doing our best to bring closure to affected families.”
The boat capsize highlights the need for better safety measures and regulations in Nigeria’s transport sector. Many boats and ferries in the country do not have life jackets, adequate safety equipment, or trained personnel to handle such incidents. This lack of safety measures puts passengers at risk, especially during the rainy season when water levels rise.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has called for an urgent review of safety measures and regulations to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. The agency’s spokesman, Tayo Fadile, said, “We need to take a critical look at our water transport system and ensure that all safety measures are adhered to. We cannot afford to lose more lives.”
In conclusion, the boat capsize in Kwara State is a tragic incident that has left families and communities devastated. The government and rescue teams are doing their best to provide support and assistance to affected families, but more needs to be done to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. It is time for all stakeholders to come together and implement better safety regulations and measures in Nigeria’s transport sector.
