A boat capsized on Friday evening near the abandoned Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, leaving three people dead.
The incident occurred at about 7:20 p.m. when a motorised boat carrying passengers and vehicles overturned while attempting to cross the Namnai River along the Jalingo–Wukari road.
Chairman of the Taraba State Inland Water Transporters, Jidda Mayoreniyo, confirmed the accident, stating that three people lost their lives while several others were rescued.
It was also gathered that about four vehicles on board the ill-fated boat remain submerged in the river, with passengers losing their luggage and other belongings.
The Namnai Bridge, which previously served as a major link between Taraba and Benue as well as other parts of the North Central, North East, and North West regions, collapsed in September last year and has yet to be repaired.
Since the collapse, more than 4,000 passengers and hundreds of vehicles reportedly rely on boats daily to cross the river.
Findings revealed that over 50 vehicles had fallen into the river while being ferried across.
