Boat accident claims 6 in Cross River

Not less than six persons have drowned when a boat conveying them and other passengers capsized in Ogurude, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The victims, it was gathered, were returning from a burial in a village when the accident occurred.

Community sources claimed that the boat was overloaded, adding that some people were advised to stay back, but they insisted on boarding the boat.

They added that the boat driver, in a quest to make more gains, allowed more than the required number to board and mid-river, the boat capsized.

The sources also said the victims were not indigenes of the area but visitors, who came from Akamkpa, another local government area, for burial in the community.

It was revealed that they came from the Akamkpa Local Government Area to attend the burial of the father of their friend and were unable to swim when the boat capsized.

It was also gathered that boat driver and others from the area swam to safety, while the visitors drowned.