At least 13 people are feared to have drowned after a boat capsized in Majak Baai river in Aweil North County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.
The tragic incident happened on Thursday at around 6pm. The boat was reportedly carrying 25 passengers.
Survivors say the boat hit a tree on the river bank whose branch is pointing towards the river.
Some family members of the victims told Akol Yam FM that the boat was also carrying 10 people in excess. It usually carries only 15 people, not 25.
Four bodies of dead passengers have been recovered while 9 others are still missing.
One of the passengers who survived the accident said the boat was heading to Marial-baai in Aweil West County.
“The boat was overloaded… after reaching the river side, the boat hit a tree because the area is flooded. So the boat over-turned and there were no people around to recue the passengers who could not swim,” he narrated.
The survivors were rescued by people living along the river banks.
The area Member of Parliament, Hon. Akok Akok Kuch confirmed the incident, adding that efforts are ongoing to find the missing people.
“After I received a phone call from the community, I rushed to the place of the accident to witness how people died, but all the Payams are flooded,” he stated.
Hon. Akok also mentioned that plans are underway to relocate people affected by floods to high grounds.
“We identified 2 places; Manyiel Akok and Machar where we can transfer the affected people to camp on the high lands.”