Anambra Boat Mishap: NIWA Confirms Eight Dead, Rescues 38 Passengers

Nigeria, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed that a boat mishap has resulted in the death of eight individuals and the rescue of 38 passengers.

The accident happened on January 7, 2024, in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

According to the NIWA, the boat was traveling from Onitsha to Ogwuikpele when it capsized due to overloading and poor weather conditions.

The passengers, who were mostly traders, were on their way to the Ogwuikpele market when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene and managed to save 38 passengers, while eight others were found dead.

The survivors were taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, and the bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families for burial.

In a statement released by the NIWA, they expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the public that they are doing everything in their power to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

They also urged boat operators to adhere to safety regulations and avoid overloading their vessels.

The Anambra State Government has also reacted to the incident, with Governor Charles Soludo promising to provide support to the families of the victims and to work with relevant agencies to ensure that the waterways are safe for travel.