Metro

Over 20 passengers including schoolchildren drown as boat capsizes

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Boat mishap on Tuesday evening has claimed the life of no fewer than 20 passengers with seven others rescued.

The boat carrying the passengers which include pupils of Madinatu Islamiyya School in Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State capsized in Bagwai River in Bagwai Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

The accident happened on Tuesday evening based on account of an eyewitness while the boat was enroute from Badau village to Bagwai town.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Kano State Command through the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna, said a rescue mission was underway, adding that the number of people involved in the accident could not be ascertained yet.

“Twenty bodies have been recovered and corpses deposited at the hospital’s morgue while seven have been rescued.

“The boat was overloaded with passengers numbering 40 to 50 passengers.

“We are doing our best to rescue other passengers or recover their bodies.”

The captain of the canoe and two other male passengers were among those rescued by fire servicemen and local fishermen close to the river bank.

The canoe was said to be carrying Islamiyah schoolchildren and other passengers from Badau village to Bagwai LGA where they were expected to board a vehicle to Tofa LGA for the Maulud celebration.

“The body of a woman and her baby have been found, and that of some Islamiyah students. The captain and six other passengers have also been taken to hospital,” an eyewitness said.

“We have counted over 40 pairs of shoes. Right now police have arrived and fire servicemen and also local fishermen are on a rescue mission. We need assistance from anyone who can bring torchlight or can participate in the rescue effort.