Niger boat Mishap claims 42 lives, 100 others missing

On friday, about 42 people drowned in a boat mishap that happened on the River Niger close to Malili village in Borgu local government of Niger state, Nigeria.
     100 others on board were missing in the boat mishap which occured around 2pm.
The Public Relation Officer, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Malam Ibrahim Hussaini, confirm the incident to NAN in a telephone interview on Saturday.
Hassaini said the incident occurred around 2 pm when the traders were returning from Malili village back to Tunga Illo village across the River Niger, after the day’s market.
He said the details were sketchy, but the boat which had over 150 passengers capsized midway and drowned 42 people, while 100 others were missing.
The spokesman said that local divers from Malili village had recovered 42 corpses, while efforts were being intensified to rescue possible survivors or the corpse of those drowned.
“At the moment search and rescue is ongoing on the river.

“I will make the details of the incident later, but the agency has dispatch its officers to assist the villagers in the rescue efforts,’’ he said.
Hassaini said the recovered corpses would be given mass burial close to the river bank, adding that neighbouring villages had been alerted to look out for floating corpses.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Saidu Ndako, confirmed the boat mishap