According to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the boat disaster that happened in Kogi State’s Ibaji Local Government Area has now claimed the lives of 36 individuals.
The boat, which was carrying people from the communities of Akpu and Odumomo to Ilushi in Edo State, collapsed on Tuesday, killing over 80 people on board.
Search and rescue operations are still going on, although 40 passengers were saved, according to NIWA.
The majority of the victims, according to Williams Isaac, Head of NIWA’s Idah Station, who provided the update on NTA’s News Xtra, came from Onugwa and other riverine settlements in Ibaji.
Women, children, and mourners returning from a local burial ceremony were among the passengers, Isaac explained.
He added that in order to assist the impacted communities and recover additional victims, NIWA is collaborating with regional emergency teams and divers.
