October 10, (THEWILL) – The driver of the boat that capsized at Ogbaru, in Anambra on Friday, Desmond Amugo, said he had 48 passengers on board and not 85 passengers as reported.
Amugo, while briefing government officials on the circumstances that led to the accident, said nine passengers have been seen alive, while 20 corpses have been recovered so far from the accident, adding that 10 of the bodies were recovered on Sunday.
The driver said the majority of the passengers were women and children trying to escape from their flooded communities.
Amugo explained that he sailed into a heavy wave, which affected the smooth operation of the boat and resulted in it hitting one of the pillars supporting the Umunnakwo/Ossomala Bridge.
He said his spirited efforts to manoeuvre away from danger were unsuccessful, as he lost control of the boat before it capsized.
The driver also said some women had besieged his house very early on Friday and persuaded him to ferry them to Ogbakuba, another location not submerged by flood.
In his remarks, Chief Paul Odenigbo, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, told newsmen that the search for more victims was still ongoing.
He said that only nine persons survived the accident even though about 20 corpses have been recovered so far.
“When this kind of accident occurs, it usually takes little time before the dead bodies start to float; we hope that once that happens, all the remaining bodies will be recovered”, he added.
