Nigeria witnessed another devastating boat accident as more than 70 people went missing following the capsizing of a boat on the Benue River in Taraba state’s Ardo-Kola district. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, October 28, 2023, added to the nation’s growing list of boat tragedies.
The boat carried over 100 traders returning from a bustling fish market in the same district. As of the latest reports, 14 survivors had been pulled from the waters, while rescuers have retrieved 17 bodies. Unfortunately, 73 people remain unaccounted for. The rapid and high waters of the river have amplified the complexity and challenges faced by the rescue operations, as local authorities anticipate that it could take days to complete the search.
These kinds of boat mishaps are not new to Nigeria, especially in its more remote regions. A combination of overloading boats and the lack of efficient road infrastructure has made water transport both perilous and necessary.
This incident marks the third significant boat accident in the country in just four months, where the number of passengers exceeded 100. Overloading has repeatedly been identified as a common cause of these disasters.
Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas described the incident as a “monumental tragedy.” Emphasizing the importance of safety measures, he has ordered the mandatory use of life jackets for all boat passengers in the state. This move aims to reduce the risk of fatalities in future incidents.
Local community members have been assisting the formal rescue agencies in their efforts to find the missing passengers. Their intricate knowledge of the waters and commitment to the community are invaluable assets in such rescue missions.
Investigations are underway to find out the exact cause of the accident.