13 dead, 26 saved in meeting with Niger boat

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema) confirmed the recovery of 13 organs and the rescue of 26 passengers following a boat accident in the village of Gini, in the area of the local government of Shiroro.

According to a statement released on Sunday in Minna by the general manager of Nsema, Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, the tragic accident took place around 11:45 on Saturday while the boat was on broken towards the weekly Zumba market. The ship, which according to what was reported was overloaded with passengers and goods, turned upside down in a place known as Kwata.

Arah has revealed that the 13 recovered bodies have been buried since then. Among the deceased were eight women, three men and two children. He confirmed that a total of 39 people were aboard the unfortunate boat.

Previously, dr. Ibrahim Hussini, director of information and special duties at Nsema, said that the boat driver and some passengers were saved immediately after the accident. He added that a survivor admitted to the Kuta General Hospital was discharged.

In response to the tragedy, the government of the state of the Niger, through Nsema, the National Hydro Electric Producing areas Development Commission (N-Hylppadec) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (Niwa), has started to distribute life jackets to the river communities as part of the safety measures to prevent future opportunities.