Boat Mishap Claims 76 Lives In Anambra

At least 76 persons are feared dead in a boat mishap that occurred in Umunankwo and Ossomala communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Reports say only nine persons were rescued in the incident which occurred on Friday night.

An official of the Anambra State Emergency Management Authority who confirmed the incident said: “An engine boat that loaded about 85 passengers at Onukwu bridge Ossomala enroute to Nkwo Ogbakuba market capsised this morning.

"Only nine passengers were rescued, the rest are yet to be seen.

“I wasn’t there when the boat loaded but the information we got unofficially is that it loaded 85."

Ogbaru local government is one of the areas in the state being ravaged by flood and many of the residents have since lost their homes.

However, it could not be ascertained by press time if the victims were among those being evacuated away from the flood disaster.