Ganduje mourns as death toll in Kano boat mishap hits 36

 

Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Wednesday expressed deep pains and grief over the death of 36 persons in a boat mishap in the State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in Badau village of Bagwai local government area.

Seven of the victims are in an intensive care centre of Bagwai hospital.

Eyewitnesses said some other persons on board the ill-fated boat were still missing as at press time even as rescue teams continued tirelessly with their search operations.

According to a police report on Wednesday, 36 bodies have been recovered with 29 confirmed clinically dead by medical doctors.

Among the dead are 21 females and 8 males, the police said.

A statement by police spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), explained: “36 bodies have been recovered. 29 are confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

“Seven rescued are receiving treatment at Bagwai Hospital. Of those rescued (alive), are four females and three males. Rescue mission in progress, please.”

Ganduje described the incident as a “state tragedy.”

His condolences were contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Abba Anwar.

He lamented that the same spot had swallowed many persons in a similar boat mishap some years ago.

It was gathered that the boat was sailing from Hayin Badau to Bagwai with 50 passengers, most of them Islamiyyah students, when it capsized due to “overloading.”

Ganduje said: “We learnt the boat started from Hayin Badau to Bagwai with passengers who were on their way to attend Maulud celebration.

“The boat was ferrying about 50 people with some loads. It capsized because of overload. And most of them were Islamiyyah students.

“So far, based on the information we received, as at this morning of Wednesday, there were 20 deaths, 7 in hospital and another 8 people were found this morning and the rescue operation is still going on.

“While we pray to Allah to forgive and bless the souls of those who died and pray for a quick recovery of those who are in the hospital receiving medical attention, I urge boats operators to always take the issue of loading very seriously.

“They (boat operators) should know that they can still get profit without overloading their boats.”

While saluting the courage and patriot posture of the rescue teams,” Ganduje warned: “People should know that the lives of all fellow human beings are too important to be risked deliberately.”