In South-East Nigeria, the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo has formally confirmed the high number of casualties after a boat conveying people to two local markets in the riverine communities capsized on Friday.

The boat was said to be carrying about 85 people mainly traders, but ran into stormy route at Umunnakwo vommunity, in Ogbaru LGA and capsized, killing at least 76 of the passengers, while others remain unaccounted for.

Governor Soludo in a statement, sympathised with the families of the victims, urging the relevant authorities to made efforts to rescue the remaining passengers.

The boat accident has been linked to the heavy floodings in parts of Anambra State making the use of boats as the only transportation system to many of the people in Ogbaru, Anambra East and West LGAs.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime in the statement, notes that government interventions have been sent to the various IDPs camps, adding that efforts are being made to bring the yearly flood disasters to an end.

AITNEWS