Buhari ‘saddened’ over drowning of ’76’ persons in Anambra boat accident

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the recent boat accident in Anambra state.

 

Seventy-six people were said to have died after a boat ferrying 85 passengers capsized in Ogbaru LGA of the state on Saturday.

 

Nine passengers were rescued from the accident.

 

The boat took off from Onukwu bridge and was heading to Nkwo market in the Ogbakuba area of the state when it submerged.

 

According to a tweet by the presidency, Buhari expressed sadness over the accident and directed relevant government agencies to aid the rescue mission.

 

He also called for the enforcement of safety protocol on boats to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

 

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for everyone’s safety, as well as the well-being of the family members of the victims of this tragic accident,” the president said.

 

The incident is the fourth time a boat will capsize in the second quarter of 2022.

 

Seventeen people died in Lagos in July while one person also drowned in Niger that same month from different boat mishaps.

 

Another boat accident also claimed the lives of seven people in Jigawa in September.