In a tragic boat accident that occurred on Sunday in Zamfara State, five people have been rescued, and nine bodies have been recovered, while many others are still missing. The accident took place on the Mashayar Yandaga River in the Gummi Local Government Area. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the boat was carrying over 40 passengers and crew when it capsized due to overloading and powerful river currents.

The boat, overloaded with passengers, was traveling along the Mashayar Yandaga River when it lost control and capsized. NEMA reports that the high current in the river and the boat’s excessive load contributed to the disaster. Among the passengers were men, women, and children, all of whom were part of the local community, using the boat for transport along the river.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the local region, as families anxiously wait for news of their loved ones.

Local divers and fishermen were the first to respond to the emergency, diving into the river to help retrieve passengers and bodies. So far, five people have been found alive, and nine bodies have been recovered from the water. Unfortunately, the remaining passengers are still unaccounted for, and authorities fear the death toll may rise.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, expressed her deepest sympathy to the affected families and the people of Zamfara State. She urged boat operators and passengers to always follow safety regulations, such as not overloading boats and wearing life jackets.

NEMA, in collaboration with Zamfara State Emergency Agency, Gummi Local Government authorities, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders, has mobilized to continue the search and rescue operation. Communities downstream along the river have been alerted to watch for any bodies that may float downstream.

The operation is being carried out by a combined team of local divers, emergency responders, and fishermen who are familiar with the terrain. The strong river currents are making the search difficult, but the team remains determined to recover all the missing passengers.

Following the incident, NEMA has reinforced the need for strict adherence to safety measures, particularly in areas where boat transportation is common. Mrs. Umar advised boat operators to avoid overloading and to always check weather conditions before embarking on any journey.

She also called on local authorities to monitor the use of water transport in the area and ensure that safety regulations are followed, especially during the rainy season when rivers tend to swell and currents become stronger.

The Gummi Local Government Area and surrounding communities are deeply affected by this accident. Families are grieving the loss of their loved ones, while others are anxiously awaiting news about those still missing. Local religious and community leaders have gathered to offer their support, and the entire community is rallying together in this time of need.

As the search and rescue operation continues, the hope of finding more survivors diminishes. However, efforts are ongoing, and authorities remain committed to locating all missing persons. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of water travel, especially when safety measures are not properly observed.

NEMA and other agencies continue to provide support to the victims’ families and are working to prevent future tragedies through increased awareness and better safety practices.