Eight
people have been confirmed dead after passengers in a canoe jumped overboard at
the Diabugu Tendala – Sare Jarjai crossing point between Sandu and Jimara in
Upper River Region. The victims jumped into the river amid fear of sinking
after a leak was discovered in the canoe.
The
accident and death toll was confirmed to GRTS by the police commissioner for
Upper River Region.
The
tragedy happened in the early hours of Monday. Most of those involved were
returning from fishing from Diabugu Tendala.
Eyewitnesses
said about 20 people were onboard the canoe when the accident happened.
The
canoe’s capacity is 10 people. The captain of the canoe told our correspondent
that he had ordered some passengers to leave the canoe to avoid overloading but
they refused.
He
recounted how some passengers had jumped into the river shortly after the canoe
departed.
Some
he said swam to safety while others could not make it out of the river.
Five of the victims were natives of Sare Jarjai and the remaining three from Coro Numukunda, Julangel and Bakadagi.
Source:
Radio Gambia
