Nine die in Taraba boat accident

The Chairman of Bali Local Government Area, Taraba State, Mr. Andy
Yerima, said nine persons lost their lives in a boat accident on
Sunday at Mayo-kam village.
Yerima told theNews Agency of Nigeriain Jalingo on Monday that the
victims included five children and four women.
An eyewitness, Alhaji Musa Isa, toldNANthat no fewer than 50 commuters
from Zude village were on board when the incident occurred.
Isa said the boat, apart from the passengers, had cows, sugarcane and
150 bags of grains on board.
He said the boat berthed safely at the harbour, but lost control after
the boat driver anchored the rope, which suddenly cut off.
Musa said the boat, in the process hit a bridge shattering into pieces
while its passengers and goods were drowned.
He said some of the men in the boat swam to safety while women and
children on board were drowned.
He said emergency personnel and rescue workers were not on ground to
aid in search and rescue operations.
Musa said eight bodies were recovered from the river at Mayo-kam,
while another body was recovered at Tella in Gassol Local Government
Area, bringing the death toll to nine.
He described the incident as a tragedy and appealed to the government
and National Emergency Management Agency to come to the aid of the
victims.