13 die in boat mishap, tanker fire in Niger

Seven people, including four women and three children drowned, when the boat in which they were travelling capsized on River Gbako in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State yesterday.

Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that six people also died when a fuel laden tanker crashed in Mokwa town, Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

The capsized boat was carrying 10 people from Balsa community, who were heading to a farm across the river to trash rice when the accident occurred at about 11 am.

Three of them according to officials of the state emergency agency, were rescued by local divers.

The owner of the farm, one Yabagi, Alias Government, lost his wife, a daughter and granddaughter in the incident.

Gbako River bothers Katcha and Lavun Local Government Area of the state.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, who confirmed the incident, said current is always strong in the morning, especially when moving against the tide, resulting in accidents this time of the year.

In the fire incident, according to witnesses, two petrol tankers were travelling together but the driver of the one at the back lost control due to brake failure and hit the one in front, which veered off the road and rammed into a guest house.

The source, one Abdulmalik Hussaini, who spoke to our correspondent, said the tanker with the failed brake also hit another tanker parked with the product by the side of the road, causing an explosion.

The Director General of NSEMA, Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, who confirmed the incident, said 12 shops along the road were completely burnt.