About 11 persons have been confirmed dead in a fresh boat accident in Adamawa State.
The accident happened on Monday afternoon at Kwatan Mallam Adamu in Gurin village in the Fufore Local Government Area.
The boat was carrying about 40 passengers, including women and children, when it capsized due to strong winds and thunderstorms.
Local divers have recovered 11 bodies, while the search for the remaining missing persons is ongoing.
The Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Dr. Suleiman Aminu, confirmed the incident.
A resident of the area, Dahiru Gurin, said the boat was carrying farmers who were trying to reach home before the rain started.
“About 40 passengers including women and children crammed into the boat to get home before today’s heavy downpour,” Gurin said.
“Unfortunately midway, strong wind and thunderstorm set in, causing the boat capsize. About now about 13 persons have not been accounted for.”
“A mother who held up her infant on the surface of the water drowned, but the baby was saved by a diver. I think those who were rescued are not more than 20,” Gurin told newsmen.
This is the second boat accident to happen in Adamawa State in less than two weeks. On September 9, 15 people were killed in a similar accident.
