37 feared dead as boat suffers mishap in Kwara

At least 37 traders have died in a boat mishap in the Gbajibo-Mudi community of Kwara state.

The traders were reportedly returning from a weekly market in Niger state on Thursday when the accident occurred.

The boat, said to have a capacity of 100 passengers, was overloaded.

The accident was also linked to the overflowing river.

According to Punch, Mahmoud Gbajibo, a former chairman of the local government, confirmed the incident on Saturday.

Gbajibo said 37 bodies were recovered from the river by the community’s rescue team.

“The boat accident occurred at about 6pm on Thursday. The traders closed from the market in Gbajigbo Mudi and were returning to their various communities in Niger state when the tragic incident occurred,” Gbajibo said.

He added that 37 corpses were recovered from the river, while many others were rescued.

“The cause of the accident can be attributed to overloading of the boat, while the water volume also contributed to it,” he added.

“Right now, the chairman of the local government and the Emir of Kaiama are in Gbajigbo Mudi community to sympathise with the people.”

A boat carrying over 200 passengers capsized in the same community last year.