At least one person has died, and another is missing after a boat they were travelling in capsized in Manyo County of Upper Nile State on Tuesday night, local officials said.
Yunis Adwok, the acting commissioner of Manyo County, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the boat, which was on the way from Geiger to Wadakona, capsized at Majlek Island.
The acting commissioner said the tragedy happened while the boat, which he said was carrying 23 people and goods, capsized mid-voyage.
“Due to wind and heavy rains, the boat capsized. Also, it is believed that the heavy load contributed to the incident,” he said.
Adwok disclosed that 21 people were rescued following the incident, and two members of one family- a boy and a girl – could not be immediately accounted for.
“There was an order by the state government that any boat carrying goods should not also carry people. It shows that the boat owners do not respect the order. I hope such incidents will not happen again,” he said.
Meanwhile, County Police Director Albino Awan confirmed the accident, saying the incident was caused by storms and heavy rains.
The police officer confirmed that the accident survivors were 21 people, while the body of one of the missing persons was found later.
According to the police director, the authorities will now take strict measures to control such river accidents, including preventing night trips of riverboats.
Earlier this year, the government of Upper Nile State issued a decision banning riverboat owners from carrying passengers together with goods after a boat had capsized in the same county, killing five children from one family.