Another 33 Die In Niger Boat Mishap

Thirty-three persons have been killed in a boat mishap between Dere in Niger State on their way from Katcha to Lokoja market in Kogi State.LEADERSHIP gathered that the mishap occurred when the boat conveying the about 100 passengers to Lokoja market suddenly capsized in Dere.It was gathered that the incident occurred about 4:3am when a light from an on coming boat made the boat lose control thereby hitting a   tree at the centre of the river which broke the boat into two.
It was learnt that the situation was compounded by the rainfall that caused the river to overflow its banks, making visibility along the waterways difficult.The passengers in the boat, it was learnt, were mainly fishermen, businesswomen and children, with most of the fatalities casualties mainly women and children who could not swim like the fishermen.It was learnt that five persons, mainly fishermen escaped unhurt, and were able to rescue some of the passengers and take them to the bank of the river.The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abiodun Gambari confirmed the incident which he said occurred almost outside Niger State.