The ship, with at least 85 people on board, capsized shortly before noon on Friday amid heavy flooding, leaving passengers trapped.
Nigeria The death toll from the boating accident in Anambra in the southeast on Friday has risen to 76, the country’s president Muhammadu Buhari said on Sunday. The news agencies report on it Reuters and AFP.
The ship, with at least 85 people on board, capsized shortly before noon on Friday amid heavy flooding, leaving passengers trapped.
On Saturday, local authorities said ten people were dead and sixty were missing. Buhari said in a statement that emergency officials have confirmed a much higher death toll.
Buhari said the authorities were working to rescue or locate the passengers still missing, adding that he had directed the authorities to review the security protocols in place.
Anambra is one of the numerous states in Nigeria that have been hit by heavy floods this year. The currents have swept away homes, farms and roads. The floods have affected at least half a million people in the country.
Former head of local government Afam Ogene said earlier that the engine of the boat, designed for more than a hundred passengers, broke down and waves generated by strong flood currents crashed into the ship shortly after departure.
Boating accidents are common in Nigeria due to overloading, speeding, poor maintenance and non-observance of traffic rules.
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