From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Tragedy struck in Aba, Abia State, when five persons were said to be drowned at the Aba River at Umunkama village, Ovom Amasaa community, Obingwa council area, of the state.
Reports from the area said the victims were on their way to a burial ceremony in Umunkama Village, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, when their canoe capsized while attempting to cross the river.
Eye witness account has it that the wooden canoe capsized when they were half way to the Ugwunagbo side of the river, plunging those onboard into the river. Attempts by local divers to rescue the victims was said to be unsuccessful as the five passengers were reportedly drowned in the river.
It was gathered that the casualty figure could have been much higher but for the intervention of some youths. According to information available to Sunday Sun, the deceased victims include two young men from Umuejea Village, two from Okuenyi Village in Ntighauzo and one from Akpaa Mbato, all communities in Obingwa council area.
One of the people who missed boarding the boat, Hon. Ogbonna Nwanmuo, said he stopped to ease himself on the way and arrived when the canoe had left.
Chairman of Obingwa Council, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, who confirmed the incident, sympathized with the families of the victims.