Six people missing after mourners’ boat sinks in Benue

At least six people are missing after a boat carrying more than 70 mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at about 11am on Saturday as the passengers were returning after attending a burial ceremony. Buruku Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege said the mourners were from neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.

Zege said the boat’s engine reportedly failed while it was on the river. As passengers tried to keep the vessel afloat, another boat moved towards them to help. He said the boat then encountered waves and sank before those aboard could reach the rescuing vessel.

“There are over 70 people on board but we have not seen about six persons,” Zege told journalists. He also said the vessel had been overloaded and that many of the passengers were unfamiliar with conditions on the water, increasing the panic during the incident. The chairman raised concerns about the use of safety equipment.

He said authorities had supplied life jackets for people using the river crossing, but enforcement had been difficult because some passengers complained that the jackets were uncomfortable or gave other reasons for not wearing them. Denis Iyaghigba, the state’s Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, said he had received preliminary reports of the accident. Initial information indicated that a strong current swept the boat into an abandoned barge at a bend in the river, causing it to overturn.

Iyaghigba urged families and members of the public to remain calm while authorities worked to verify the circumstances. He said he had directed boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist with the search-and-rescue operation. The officials did not provide further details about the identities or condition of those aboard the boat.