More than 60 passengers have been rescued after a boat conveying over 70 mourners capsized at a crossing point on River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state, leaving several others unaccounted for.
The wooden vessel, which was also carrying over 30 motorcycles, reportedly overturned at about 11am on Saturday while conveying the passengers back from a burial ceremony on the other side of the river. Blueprint reports
The mourners were said to be predominantly from Mbayon community in Gboko LGA and had travelled across the river to attend the burial of a relative.
The incident was confirmed by the Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Zege, who said rescue operations were ongoing to locate those still missing.
Engine failure, heavy waves triggered panic
Zege said the boat developed an engine fault midway through the return journey, causing panic among passengers before it encountered a heavy wave and capsized.
He explained that the vessel was carrying more than 70 people when the incident occurred.
According to him, the situation deteriorated before a rescue boat could reach the passengers.
An eyewitness also attributed the mishap to overloading, saying the vessel was carrying a large number of passengers alongside more than 30 motorcycles.
The witness said several people had been rescued but the exact number of those still missing remained uncertain as search efforts continued.
Council chairman confirms over 60 rescued
Providing an update, Zege said more than 60 passengers had been rescued, while about six people had yet to be accounted for at the time of his statement.
He, however, stressed that the figure was not final, as rescue workers were still searching the river.
The council chairman urged residents and other commuters using the waterway to comply with maritime safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets.
He said the local government had provided life jackets for commuters at the crossing point but lamented that some passengers often resisted efforts by maritime officials to enforce their use.
Zege explained that some commuters reportedly objected to wearing shared life jackets or claimed they had health concerns.
He appealed to waterway users to cooperate with safety personnel, noting that the regulations were designed to protect lives.
Commissioner directs boat operators to join rescue effort
Meanwhile, the Benue state Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, confirmed the accident in a statement issued on Saturday.
Iyaghigba said he had received preliminary reports of the incident at the Buruku crossing point and appealed to families of the passengers and members of the public to remain calm pending verified information.
He assured the public that authorities would continue efforts to rescue anyone who might still be trapped or missing.
The commissioner also directed boat operators and their union to mobilise and support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
He said further details would be communicated as the operation progressed.
Search operation continues
As of the time of filing this report, rescue efforts were still ongoing, while authorities had yet to establish the final number of passengers aboard the boat and those still missing.
The incident has renewed attention on compliance with safety measures along the waterway, particularly the need to prevent overloading and ensure passengers use life jackets during crossings.
