NB247
Six people have died after a boat carrying mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, months after the state government introduced stricter safety measures for water transport.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday, and involved more than 70 people returning from a burial ceremony.
Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Zege, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday, saying the mourners were from neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.
Zege said the boat’s engine failed, causing passengers to struggle to keep the vessel afloat.
He said another boat attempted to rescue them, but the vessel carrying the mourners encountered strong waves and overturned.
“They were people from Gboko LG. They went for a burial to cross to the other side, but on their way back they overloaded the boat and the engine failed,” he said.
Zege said the passengers panicked while attempting to reach the rescue boat.
“But before they could get to the other boat coming to rescue them, they ran into water waves, and the weight of the boat made it sink,” he said.
He said six people died in the incident.
The incident occurred despite strict measures announced in January by the State Government for boat operators in the riverine communities.
According to Zege, authorities had provided life jackets for people using the river crossing but acknowledged difficulties in enforcing their use.
He said some passengers complained that the jackets were uncomfortable and therefore resisted wearing them.