The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that five people have been rescued and nine bodies recovered from the boat accident that happened on Sunday in the Mashayar Yandaga River, located in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to NEMA, the boat involved in the accident was carrying over 40 passengers and crewmen when it capsized as a result of overload and high river currents.

The agency, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Head of the Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, said following the accident, rescuers, who were mostly local divers and fishermen, were mobilized.

The Director General NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar while commiserating with the government and people of Zamfara State over the incident, advised boat operators to adhere to safety measures in the conduct of their activities.

On efforts made by the rescuers, he said: “They managed to rescue five persons alive. Sadly, nine bodies of the passengers have been recovered so far, while search and rescue operations are continuing”.

He added that other passengers comprising of men, women, and children were yet to be accounted for.

He also said communities situated downstream along the river channel have been alerted to look out for bodies that may be floating to their location.

As search and rescue operations continue, NEMA said its Sokoto Operation Office, in conjunction with Zamfara State Emergency Agency, Gummi Local Government authorities, community leaders, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders, are involved in the operation and carried out an assessment of the disaster.