Dawanau said 22 out of the 29 persons were identified as indigenes of Badau village while seven others were travelers in the area, whose family members and relatives were yet to be identified.

He said six persons, including the driver of the boat narrowly escaped from the capsized boat.

The boat was said to be conveying the travelers from Badau village to Bagwai town in Tofa LGA, for the Maulid ceremony when it went under.

However, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has described the incident as a state tragedy.

Ganduje in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar said the incident happened due to overloading.

He said: “We learned that the passengers boarded the boat from Hayin Badau to Bagwai on their way to attend Maulud celebration in Tofa LGA, and there were about 50 people with some loads, which capsized because of overload. And most of them were Islamiyyah students.

“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 boat operators to always take the issue of overload very seriously. They should know that they can still get profit without overloading their boats,” he urged.

Reacting to the development, the Tijaniyya Youth Enlightenment Initiative of Nigeria through its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar K/Naisa said it received the news with shock and pray for the deceased as well as quick recovery of persons rescued and hospitalized.

Source:Vanguard

Retrieving full detail for kano boat mishap death toll rises to 29...