Two children have been confirmed dead while two others sustained various degrees of injuries in a boat mishap that occurred in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger.
The Overseeing Director-General of Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Salihu Garba, disclosed this in Minna on Saturday.
He said the incident occurred on Friday at about 6 p.m. when the boat engine caught fire due to a mechanical failure and inflamed a gallon of petrol stored inside the boat.
He said that 145 passengers were in the boat, adding that they were from the Danbo community in Kogi.
Garba disclosed that the passengers were on their way back from Katcha market when the incident occurred.
He said that the body of one of the deceased children had been recovered while the search for the second missing child was still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.
The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim raised concerns over frequent tragedies around water transportation.
He therefore called on the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to urgently do the needful and take proactive measures to halt the ugly trend.
He also prayed to God to repose the souls of the departed as well as grant quick recovery to those injured.
