Tragedy as boat carrying 100 passengers capsizes in Taraba River
A boat carrying over 100 passengers has capsized mid water at Benue river on Saturday in Taraba State killing scores of people.
According to report, the victims which are mostly traders comprised of women and children, heading for Binnari town in Karim-Lamido local government area of the state where the accident happened.
Many of the passengers were returning from Mayoreneyo fish market in Ardo-Kola LGA.
The boat left Mayoreneyo local jetty at about 3:30pm and capsized 40 minutes later, according to sources.
A resident of Mayoreneyo, Musa Mayoreneyo, disclosed that the ill-fated boat had earlier conveyed the passengers from Binnari to Mayoreneyo.
In a telephone interview, a resident of Binnari, said, “As l am talking to you now, only bodies of two persons were recovered by local divers all others are missing and feared dead.”
A source at the Mayoreneyo said that none of the passengers had life jacket when the incident occurred.
Acting chairman of inland water transporters in Taraba state, Jidda Mayoreneyo, confirmed the incident and revealed that about 15 bodies were recovered close to the scene.
Confirming the incident, Chairman, caretaker committee of Ardo-Kola, Alhaji Dalhatu Kawu, described it as tragic.
When contacted, Police spokesman in Taraba, SP Abdullahi Usman, said he was yet to receive report of incident.
