The death toll in a boat mishap in Gausawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, has increased to 60.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, had earlier confirmed 29 people dead in the boat mishap.
Baba-Arah stated that the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, adding that the boat was carrying 90 passengers, including women and children.
The NSEMA boss disclosed that the boat collided with a tree stump, which resulted in the tragic incident.
He said 29 dead bodies were recovered, with 50 persons rescued alive, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
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However, the chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Abdullahi Baba Ara, said the casualty figure has increased to 60.
“The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60. Ten people have been found in serious condition, and many are still being sought,” Baba Ara told Reuters on Wednesday night.
The district head of Shagumi, Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, said he was at the scene shortly after the accident.
Muhammad said.: “I was at the scene yesterday, at about 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The boat carried more than 100 people.
“We were able to recover 31 corpses from the river. The boat was also recovered and removed.”
He added that four victims were buried on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites, noting that women and children made up the majority of the deceased.
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