Forty passengers die in Kano boat mishap as Gov Ganduje mourns
At least, 40 passengers, including a nursing mother and her child, perished in a boat mishap in Bagwai Local Government Area, Kano State.
Consequently, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has mourned over the loss.
This is as the Police spokesperson in the state, Abdullahi Haruna, said the number of people involved in the accident was yet to be determined, adding that 20 bodies have been retrieved from the water, including that of a woman and her child.
“We retrieved 20 bodies and were able to save seven, he said, the boat was overcrowded, with 40 to 50 passengers on board. The bodies have been sent to Bagiwa General Hospital.”
Collaborating the story, Information Officer for the Council, Tasiu Jibo Dawanau, who said the accident occurred at the Bagwai dam at 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening, explained more than 40 people boarded the botched engine boat from Badau village to Bagwai town.
He said swimmers, firemen, NSCDC, police were still searching for and rescuing people at the dam, at about 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Based on information obtained, it is believed that the victims died within the river because they were unable to swim to the river’s bank and as they were not wearing life jackets.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has expressed shock over the Tuesday evening Bagwai boat mishap that led to the death of about 40 persons.
Ganduje spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Abba Anwar, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano.
“We learned that the boat started from Hayin Badau to Bagwai on their way to attend Maulud celebration.
“The boat was ferrying about 50 people with some loads, it capsized because of overloading. Most of the passengers were Islamiyyah students,” he said.
“I urge boat operators to always take the issue of overloading very seriously. They should know that they can still get profit without overloading their boats,” the governor said.
Ganduje said it was unfortunate that a similar incident was recorded some years ago on the same axis.
“People should know that the lives of their fellow human beings are too important to be risked deliberately.
“Based on the information we received this morning, there are 20 deaths. Seven persons have been admitted in hospital and another eight others were found this morning. The rescue operation is still going on.
“We salute the courage and patriot posture of the rescue teams,” he said. (NAN)
