76 Killed In Boat Capsize In Nigeria

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Lagos, Nigeria: At least 76 passengers drowned after a boat in which they were travelling capsized in a flooded river in Nigeria’s Anambra state, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Sunday.

An estimated 85 people were taking the overloaded boat on Friday when flooding of the Niger River caused it to tip over.

“The boat reportedly carrying 85 persons capsized following rising floods in Ogbaru area of the state, with emergency services confirming a total death count of 76,” Buhari’s office quoted him as saying.

He directed the emergency services to provide relief to the victims.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the victims and for everyone’s safety, as well as the well-being of the family members of the victims of this tragic accident,” he added.

Earlier on Sunday, the emergency services said rising water level was hampering rescue efforts.

“The water level is very high and too risky for a smooth search and rescue operation,” Thickman Tanimu, the southeast coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told AFP.

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