No fewer than six people drowned when a boat carrying them capsized in Ogurude, Cross River State.
According to what those that witnessed the incident said, the victims were coming back from a funeral in a village located on the other side of the Cross River when the boat capsized.
While talking about the incident, Ignatius Okpa said: “The canoe was overloaded. Some people were advised to stay back, but they insisted on going and the boat helmsman, who was eager to collect money, allowed more than the required number to board and mid river, the boat capsized.”
He said the victims came from Akamkpa for a burial in the area.
He said: “They came from the Akamkpa Local Government Area to attend the burial of the father of their friend. They were unable to swim when the boat capsized. The helmsman and others from the area swam to safety, while the visitors drowned.”
He said some of the dead bodies have been recovered by divers while the divers were still searching for the other bodies.
