76 feared dead as boat capsizes in Anambra

An engine boat loaded with about 85 passengers has capsized and killed no fewer than 76 persons on board.

It was gathered that the ill-fated boat, which had about 85 persons on board, took off from Onukwu Bridge and was heading to Nkwo market, Ogbakuba in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, before it capsized. 

The incident happened early Saturday morning.

According to sources, only nine persons have been rescued while the rest are yet to be seen.

Although, details of the incident were still sketchy, meanwhile, unconfirmed official sources from a State Emergency Management Authority official said the incident happened on Saturday morning.

He said, “It has happened. An engine boat that loaded about 85 passengers at Onukwu bridge Ossomala enroute to Nkwo Ogbakuba market capsized this morning. Only nine passengers were rescued, the rest are yet to be seen.

“I wasn’t there when the boat loaded but the information we got unofficially is that it loaded 85.”

Details later…