According to Safiyanu Dan Iya, a local resident, the accident occurred when an overloaded boat collided with an empty vessel on the Mashayar Yan Tauri River.
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Dan Iya explained that the captain of the empty boat had been attempting to offload some passengers from the overcrowded boat when the two boats unexpectedly collided, causing the overloaded one to capsize and sink.
This tragedy marks the second such incident in the area. Five years ago, a boat carrying passengers also capsized in the same river, though no casualties were reported at that time.
Another resident, Shehu Aminu Gummi, confirmed that only a few passengers were rescued, while the majority remain missing in the river.
“After the boat capsized and sank in the river, it took the survivors almost two hours before they appeared on the surface of the water. The boat capsized around 10am and the survivors appeared around 12 mid-day.
“Although the rescue efforts continued up till 8pm, no additional person among the victims was found dead or alive.”
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Also speaking, the Sarkin Fadar Gummi, Alhaji Mahmud S. Fada, confirmed that eight people were rescued, saying, “Apart from them, we have not seen anybody again.
“Up till this time that I am speaking with you, no corpse has been discovered from the river.”
He said though some rescue teams were sent to other rivers in Gayari, Dugwai and Bandoki villages, yet, no corpse was found.
He explained that the Sarkin Ruwa of Gummi has ordered that the rescue be put on hold, as according to him, the bodies of the victims could only resurface by Sunday.
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