Metro
Boat mishap: Seven more bodies recovered in Niger
Rescue workers have recovered additional seven bodies from the scene of a boat accident in Niger State.
A boat carrying over 300 people—predominantly women and children—capsized in Mokwa local government area of the state on Tuesday.
The passengers were traveling from the Mundi Community to the Gbajibo Community for the Eid-el-Maulid festival when the accident occurred.
At least 150 persons were declared missing at the scene by emergency responders.
Nine bodies had earlier been pulled out of the water by the rescue workers.
The latest discovery brought the number of dead passengers of the ill-fated boat to 16.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the recovery of the additional bodies in a statement on Wednesday in Minna.
He added that the victims comprised two females and 14 males.
“16 corpses have been recovered so far, made up of two females and 14 males.
“Earlier, nine bodies were recovered, consisting of two females and seven males.
“NSEMA is leading the search-and-rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers.”
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