Another double tragedy was recorded yesterday, after a boat conveying burial guests including a pregnant woman capsized, killing all of them.
In all, 11 mourners are believed to have been lost in the accident which occurred yesterday night, an informant identified simply as Daniel told journalists.
The lot were returning to Daududawadawa community, an island settlement behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Barracks near Makurdi when the accident happened.
He said the boat capsized on River Benue near the North Bank area, in Makurdi Local Government, the source told journalists by telephone.
According to the source, the boat had about 40 burial guests on board, and capsized in the middle of the river between 7pm and 8pm during a downpour accompanied by a windstorm.
The accident was also confirmed by the Commander of a local vigilante group, Operation Shara (Sweep), Nura Umar, who added that the victims were returning from the burial of a woman from their community at Wadata.
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“The deceased woman had been taken to a private hospital in North Bank on Saturday morning where she later died, and the relatives and sympathisers from the island community decided to take the remains to Wadata for her burial.
“After the burial, they boarded a boat to cross back to Daududawadawa community. At about 7pm, heavy rain and strong winds started and the boat capsized halfway into the journey.
“There were over 40 passengers aboard the boat, but 11 were feared dead. We have recovered four bodies so far and buried them, while divers are still searching for the remaining victims”.
7 Most Common Causes of Boat Accident Injuries and Fatalities
Meanwhile Burnet Legal, has said that although accidents have dropped down significantly since the late 1990s and the early 2000s, they have slowly been increasing since 2013.
IT has also identified 7 major causes of boat mishaps to be Operator inattention, Operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, Machinery failure, alcohol use and weather.
