Residents of Ogbaru in Anambra State where many were feared dead at the weekend said that 16 bodies were recovered yesterday .
The boat had 48 persons on boat when it overturned in River Niger.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo, told The Nation yesterday nine persons were initially rescued after the incident.
“I can’t quote any figure of bodies recovered because. When something like this happens, it takes up to a week before you start seeing the bodies because, they will go down deep in the river.
“Out of the 48 persons on board, only nine were rescued and since we’ve not seen the rest, it’s assumed something bad must have happened,” Odenigbo said.
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed sadness over death of dozens of Nigerians in the incident.
Read Also: 76 feared dead in Anambra boat mishap
Following the tragedy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have embarked on rescue and recovery missions expeditiously.
A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said President Buhari had directed all other rescue and relief agencies to rush to the site of the accident.
He also directed the relevant agencies of government to check the safety protocols on these transport ferries to make sure such incidents are avoided in the future.
President Buhari said he was saddened by the boat accident and directed that all possible efforts be made to account for all the passengers.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for everyone’s safety, as well as the well-being of the family members of the victims of this tragic accident,” said the President.
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Nwanosike Onu, Awka, Emma Elekwachi, Onitsha, and Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja