There was tragedy on Thursday as 46 passengers lost their lives while 15 others were rescued following a boat accident in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The tragic incident occurred when a boat carrying 77 passengers, including men, women and children, reportedly capsized while conveying farmers and other passengers to their rice farms.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the accident.
Speaking through its spokesman, DSP Ahmed Rufai, the police command said rescue operations were still ongoing for the remaining 16 passengers.
Rufai disclosed that the rescue team comprised local divers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and the police.
He said, “Forty-six corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive. The rescue team, comprising local divers, NEMA, SEMA and the Police, is still searching for the remaining 16 persons.”
The police spokesman added that “77 persons were on board the boat at the time of the incident.”
The cause of the accident was not immediately known, while rescue operations continued as of the time of filing this report.
The development has thrown Gorau community into mourning, with families anxiously waiting for information about their loved ones.
A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed to the authorities to intensify the rescue operation, saying many families were still waiting for news of their relatives.
The tragedy occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
