NO fewer than 76 persons are missing in a boat mishap that occurred in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. 

It was gathered that the tragedy took place at the weekend in Umunnankwo community. 

Eyewitnesses said, the ill-fated boat, which had about 85 persons on board, took off from Onukwu Bridge and was heading to Nkwo market, Ogbakuba before it capsized. 
According to Pascal Anieg- buna, the transition committee chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, “while some of the passengers were rescued, several others, unfortunately, lost their lives. 

A source in SEMA who craved anonymity because he was not yet authorised to speak on the development said, “An engine boat that loaded about 85 passengers at Onukwu bridge Ossomalaen route to Nkwo Ogbakuba market capsized this morning. Only nine passengers were rescued, the rest are yet to be seen. I wasn’t there when the boat loaded but the information we got unofficially is that, it loaded 85.” 

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, a former House of Representatives member, Honourable Victor Afam Ogene, expressed shock and deep sorrow over the development which he said claimed the lives of several people. 

Ogene, who is the Labour Party 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Ogbaru Federal Constitu- ency said, Ogbaru was devastated and in shock over the horrendous boat accident that took the precious lives of some of its sons and daughters.  By Michael Ovat - Awka, Nigerian Tribune