by Oge Okonkwo

About 50 persons are feared dead and many declared missing after a boat carrying an unknown number of passengers yesterday capsized in River Buruku in Buruku local government area of Benue State.

River Buruku is a  tributary of the River Benue and flows along a  beach where youths picnic.

The passengers, including men and women were people who had come out to have fun this holiday, and were at the Buruku Beach to mark Boxing Day when the tragedy struck.

Leadership reports:

The incident occurred at about 8.45pm when the boat had taken aboard passengers at the crossing terminal before it capsized minutes after starting its journey.

The police public relations officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala who confirmed the incident yesterday said, “The number of casualties is yet to be ascertained and investigation is in process.” He stated that a rescue team was still searching for victims in the river.