Many feared dead in Sokoto boat accident

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Tragedy struck the Gorau community in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State following a boat accident that reportedly claimed several lives.

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The incident, according to a preliminary report from a resident of the town, occurred on Thursday when a boat carrying about 40 passengers, including men, women and children, capsized.

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This latest incident came exactly one year after a similar incident occurred in Kijio community in the same LGA.

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A resident of the town who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident to our correspondent, but said the total casualty cannot be immediately verified.

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“Only five people have so far been reported rescued, while more than 20 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the water.

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“Rescue efforts are ongoing as emergency responders and residents continue searching for passengers who remain missing,” the source stated.

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The development has thrown the community into mourning, with families anxiously waiting for information about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

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Residents have appealed for intensified rescue operations to locate and save any passengers who may still be alive.

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As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the cause of the accident and the identities of the victims were not immediately available.

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Further updates are expected as rescue operations continue.

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When contacted, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, said the command would issue a statement on the incident soon.

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A senior staff member of the National Emergency Management Agency, who simply identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, told our correspondent that NEMA officials are currently on their way to the community.

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